France Declares Red Alerts for Flooding Crisis

France continues to face heavy rain and flooding, particularly in the southwest, where Météo-France has issued an orange alert as the remnants of Storm Leslie bring significant rainfall. The Cévennes episode has concluded, but 18 departments remain under orange alerts, with some areas having experienced record rainfall of up to 630 mm (24.8 inches) in just 48 hours. Major cities like Lyon and Cannes are included in the red alert zones, prompting road closures and evacuations. Fortunately, there have been no reported deaths or injuries, though the extent of flood damage remains unclear. Authorities are urging residents to avoid risky behaviors during this hazardous weather. The situation follows recent severe flooding events across Europe, highlighting ongoing weather challenges in the region.