Gard and Hérault on red alert: schools closed and several trains disrupted due to heavy rain**
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Gard and Hérault departments were placed under a red alert for heavy rain and flooding, as intense rainfall affected the Cévennes mountains and threatened to spread to the plains. Schools were closed, rail service was disrupted, and speed limits were reduced on several highways: authorities implemented safety meas and urged the public to limit their travel. Météo-France confirmed the red alert level for both departments in its bulletin issued at 10:00 AM.
Significant snowfall in the Cévennes
The rains first hit the Cévennes during the night and morning. In twelve hours, 224.2 mm were recorded in Colognac, 220.9 mm in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort and 175.9 mm in Le Vigan.
The weather event, described as « remarkable, even exceptional » by Météo-France for the Gard and eastern Hérault departments, was then expected to spread towards the plains. In eastern Hérault, the prefecture anticipated stationary thunderstorms and rainfall totals of 50 to 300 mm, with up to 100 mm possible in one to two hours.
Residents brought to safety
Rising waters trapped five people in vehicles in Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort and Tornac. In Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, eight people were also rescued. The Vidourle River rose three meters in two hours.
The prefectures of Gard and Hérault sent an alert message by SMS to residents, asking them to stay home and not to use their vehicles. The Gardon, Cèze, Vidourle, and Hérault rivers were placed under orange flood warnings.
Schools, trains and trams at a standstill
Schools are closed in the Gard and Hérault departments, and school transport is suspended. The situation also affects Lozère, which has been placed on orange alert.
SNCF suspended train service between Marseille and Sète, Nîmes and Le Grau-du-Roi, and between Nîmes and Clermont-Ferrand until the end of the day. In Montpellier, tram service was also suspended as a precaution, with the heaviest rainfall expected between noon and 3 p.m.
On the A9, A709, and A54 motorways in the Nîmes region, the speed limit is reduced to 70 km/h for trucks over 7.5 tonnes and to 90 km/h for cars. Local authorities also recommend working from home whenever possible.
Source: 20 Minutes – Front Page (www.20minutes.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: Jérôme Diesnis
