Major floods that struck parts of France due to heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday began slowly easing on Saturday. In many areas, clean-up and repair work has commenced. Emergency services, residents and workers were clearing streets,

France is currently experiencing a meteorological episode of rare intensity. Experts are worried about the arrival of devastating floods. On Wednesday and Thursday, rain was expected across the entire southern half of France.

France remains on alert for heavy rain and flooding in the southwest while the north gets a slight reprieve from the intense precipitation that has thrown life out of gear and disrupted crop harvesting and planting.

Massive floods caused serious damage and power outages on Friday in parts of France's mountainous southeast region after days of heavy rain, though there were no immediate reports of any casualties.

Heavy rainfall and swollen rivers unleashed torrents of brackish water that cut off roads, swept away cars and swamped buildings.

Parts of southeast France have experienced severe flooding, resulting in significant damage and widespread power outages after days of relentless rainfall. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties, but the impacts of the flooding have been extensive.

People recount being trapped for hours by raging floods in France :: Givors, France:::: Julie Fourlon, Store worker "I was at work, I work at Intersport. I was at work, and the water rose all of a sudden in the parking lot.