Severe weather in southern France: one dead near Marseille, one missing in Corsica

Mediterranean storm Adam brings flooding from Occitanie to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, with four killed in Spain

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

A 75-year-old man died after being swept away by floodwaters in Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts near Marseille, while a second person is missing in Ghisonaccia, Corsica, when their 4x4 was carried away by the Fium'orbu river, rescue authorities confirmed Tuesday. The severe weather, which began Monday, has caused widespread flooding across southeastern France, prompting evacuations and transport disruptions.

A bout of severe weather struck southeastern France from Occitanie towards Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, bringing torrential rain that swelled rivers and inundated neighbourhoods. The heavy rain was easing in intensity by Tuesday midday, according to Météo-France.

In the Bouches-du-Rhône department, the man's body was found in Istres after he was swept away in the commune of Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts. A helicopter had been deployed in an attempt to locate him. In Haute-Corse, rescue teams searched for a missing person in Ghisonaccia. Two people were inside a 4x4 when it was carried away by the river; one escaped through a window, but the other remains missing.

Rainfall totals reached almost 400 millimetres north of Solenzara in Corse-du-Sud since the start of the episode, with 191 millimetres recorded in a single hour at the airport, Météo-France said.

In Istres, some 50 kilometres west of Marseille, evacuations took place and affected residents were moved to a sports hall. In the Hérault department, the town of Lunel was hit by intense rain and thunderstorms, with around 15 people taken to a reception centre. Images on social media showed cars submerged up to their windows.

In Nîmes, traffic was severely disrupted Tuesday morning, including a closure of the A9 motorway. The situation was gradually returning to normal by midday and municipal facilities, shut since Monday afternoon, were reopening. Train services to and from the city remained disrupted. Sections of motorways around Marseille were partially flooded and tram services were suspended Tuesday morning.

This Mediterranean weather episode is linked to a cold low-pressure system named Adam, which has also brought torrential rain and flooding to Spain, where at least four people have lost their lives.

The report is from Etienne Paponaud for Euronews.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The sudden deadly flooding highlights the dangers of extreme rainfall events that can overwhelm drainage and rivers in a short period.
With the system also affecting Spain and linking to broader weather patterns, the event underscores the regional vulnerability to Mediterranean storms and their potential for cross-border impacts.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and communities across the affected areas face the challenge of cleanup and recovery.

Background

The Mediterranean region frequently experiences intense autumn storms, often called "Mediterranean episodes", when warm sea air meets cold air from the north. These systems can dump huge amounts of rain in just a few hours, triggering flash floods. The current system, named Adam, is a cold low-pressure area that has also caused fatalities in Spain.

Key Perspectives

Emergency services: Fire and rescue crews conducted evacuations and searches, including a helicopter deployment, and have opened reception centres for displaced residents. Météo-France: The weather service recorded extreme rainfall totals, including 191 mm in one hour near Solenzara, and noted that the worst of the rain had passed by Tuesday midday. Communities hit by flooding: Residents in towns such as Istres, Lunel, and Nîmes faced flooded streets, submerged vehicles, and disruption to transport and daily life.

What to Watch

The search for the missing person in Ghisonaccia and any updates on their condition.
Further reports from Météo-France on the easing of the storm and the potential for renewed rainfall.
The extent of damage and the region's recovery timeline, including transport restorations and claims for disaster assistance.

Sources

Severe weather in southern France: one dead near Marseille, one missing in Corsica · Euronews

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedOne person died near Marseille.Euronews: “another was found dead in Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts in the Bouches-du-Rhône.”
SupportedOne person is missing in Corsica.Euronews: “In Haute-Corse, one person is missing in Ghisonaccia, the prefecture announced.”
Partly supportedStorm Adam brought flooding from Occitanie to Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.Euronews: “a new bout of severe weather has lashed south-eastern France, moving from Occitanie towards Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.”
Partly supportedFour people were killed in Spain.Euronews: “Spain , where at least four people have lost their lives.”
Partly supportedRescue authorities confirmed the death and missing-person report on Tuesday.Euronews: “In Haute-Corse, one person is missing in Ghisonaccia, the prefecture announced.”
SupportedA 75-year-old man was swept away in Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts and found dead in Istres.Euronews: “On Tuesday 20 October, a 75-year-old was found dead in Istres, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, after being swept away by floodwaters in the commune of Saint-Mitre-les-Remparts.”
SupportedTwo people were in the 4x4 swept away by the Fium'orbu river; one escaped and the other remains missing.Euronews: “Two people were on board a 4x4 when it was carried away by the Fium'orbu river. One managed to escape through the window, but the other is being searched for by rescue teams.”
Partly supportedThe heavy rain began Monday and was easing by Tuesday midday, according to Météo-France.Euronews: “The heavy rain, which began on Monday, was easing in intensity by around midday on Tuesday.”
Not in the sourcesThe French weather brought torrential rain that swelled rivers.Euronews
SupportedRainfall north of Solenzara reached almost 400 millimetres, including 191 millimetres in one hour at the airport.Euronews: “North of Solenzara (Corse-du-Sud), almost 400 millimetres of rain have been recorded since the start of the episode, "and 191 millimetres in a single hour" at the airport, Météo-France said.”
SupportedAround 15 people in Lunel were taken to a reception centre.Euronews: “Around fifteen people were taken in by the municipality in a reception centre.”