
A look back at a chaotic day marked by flooding and the interruption of public services
AI-generated summary
The Hérault department suffered an intense meteorological episode with exceptional rainfall amounts.
On Wednesday September 30, Hérault was placed on red alert for rain-flooding. In Montpellier, public transport was interrupted, several schools closed and rapid floods disrupted the day.
Most of the episode is over. Accumulations locally reached 340 mm in 48 hours in the most exposed sectors, the equivalent of 2 to 3 months of precipitation.
Météo-France has placed the Pyrénées-Orientales department on orange vigilance for rain and flooding from Sunday 6 a.m., while Hérault is downgraded to yellow vigilance after having been in orange on Saturday morning. Gard and Hérault were in red on Wednesday due to violent storms.

The Aude department will be placed on orange alert for rain-flooding on Sunday October 4 from 6 a.m., according to Météo-France. Hérault, previously on orange alert, has been downgraded to yellow. Total rainfall of 80 to 180 mm is expected in eastern Aude and Hérault.

Faced with record drought worsened by climate change, specialists are studying the role of the beaver in retaining water thanks to its natural dams, making it possible to replenish wetlands, nourish groundwater and reduce the risk of flooding downstream, as observed in Ardèche and Drôme since 2023.

Faced with episodes of drought, individuals are turning massively to harvesting rainwater. This practice, encouraged by local subsidies, allows significant savings in drinking water for watering gardens.

Faced with drought, experts in Ardèche and Drôme are taking inspiration from natural beaver dams to slow down rivers, recharge groundwater and prevent flooding downstream.

The Council of State validated the traditional hunting of the skylark in Les Pantes for 2025-2026, deeming the selective method and the quotas acceptable, which provoked the indignation of the LPO and the satisfaction of the hunters.