Houses submerged and cars swept away in worst downpour since 1827
Flash floods caused by torrential rain have killed 19 people and left seven missing on France’s Mediterranean coast after the worst downpours the region has seen since 1827, a French official said on Wednesday. More than 350 mm of rain fell on the Var department in southern France over the period of a few hours on Tuesday. More than 1,000 people took refuge in schools and other buildings as their homes were submerged by muddy waters and floods swept cars away. The airport in Toulon, closed late on Tuesday because its runways were flooded, reopened on Wednesday morning. Railway officials said train services along the coast are expected to return to normal on Thursday.