After a tropical cyclone hit the famous French Riviera, around 17 people have been declared dead. Heavy rains descended from the heavens on Saturday evening, flooding the region of south-eastern France. The first victims were three elderly people who drowned after their homes near the city of Antibes were flooded. Others drowned after getting stuck in their cars in tunnels and underground parking lots. A few more are missing.

It was terrifying. We wanted to go out but decided not to as the rain was unbelievably heavy. The level of water was rising very quickly.

Some cars were carried off into the sea. We have rescued a lot of people, and we must now be vigilant against looting.

Around 30mm of rain fell in the 24-hour window preceding the worst part of the storm along most of the coastal towns of the French Riviera.

The storm was described by European media as a “medicane” storm, indicating a tropical-like cyclone which forms in the Mediterranean Sea. Though they are not naturally tropical storms, the warm water of the Mediterranean Sea helps the storm take on tropical characteristics.

[source: bbc]