Hautes-Alpes: the department hit by floods and lightning

Torrential flooding hit the Southern Alps on the evening of Monday, June 30, causing the closure of the national road 94. An emergency response was deployed by the municipalities of Alberts and La Vachette to clean up and prevent further damage, according to the mayor of Briançon, Arnaud Murgia.

According to Claire Barnéoud, departmental councilor, the situation is under control. National Highway 94 has been reopened to traffic and access to the village of Alberts has been restored.

The Col de l'Echelle was still closed on Monday evening and flooded houses were being pumped out by the Hautes-Alpes fire brigade until 2:30 a.m.

Twelve fire engines and 30 firefighters were deployed to the Val-des-Prés area; seven homes and the lower part of the town's campsite were flooded. No one has been relocated. The Val-des-Prés and La Vachette campsites remained under surveillance overnight.

In Ubaye, the D900 road near the town of Jausiers was also closed to traffic. The town received the equivalent of a month's worth of rain, or 49mm.

The Eminjots torrent, located between Jausiers and La Condamine-Châtelard, burst its banks, flooding the roadway and isolating the valley. The road was reopened to traffic this Monday evening around 8 p.m., according to the Dauphiné Libéré.

A lightning strike in Veynes left several homes without power on Monday evening. Two homes are still without power, as their meters were completely destroyed.

The impact occurred in the Foulons district. Seven people were seen by a nurse because they were in shock. The meter exploded and landed at the foot of the electrical panel. Two people were taken to hospital in shock.