France floods: Which areas are affected and what to do if it ruins your holiday

Flash floods have forced the evacuation of 1,600 people – many of them holidaymakers – from a region of southern France that’s popular with campers.

After months of dry weather, downpours have washed away tents and left campsites submerged, leaving one German man missing after his caravan was carried away by floodwater.  

The French weather office has issued orange and yellow alerts for parts of south-east and central France, which will remain in place until 4pm on Friday.  

Which areas have been affected?

The rains have swept across the departments of Gard, Ardeche and Drome, which sit between Lyon, Montpellier and Marseilles in south-east France.

UK Met Office meteorologist Marco Petagna said nearly 3in of rain fell over the area in 24 hours. Local campsites have been affected. “There are still storms around, although they are starting to ease a little bit,” he said.

The French interior ministry reported that 17,000 homes were without power in the south-east and north-east, which has also been affected by heavy rain.

My holiday has been ruined, what shall I do?

If you need to make a claim for damages or expenses, contact your tour operator, transport provider and accommodation provider. If you can’t get cover there, present the evidence to the claims team of your travel insurer.
A comprehensive policy should cover you for personal possessions and emergency medical benefits. If you are no longer able to stay in your accommodation and need extra or emergency accommodation and travel expenses, it invariably depends on your insurance policy – for example if you have some kind of travel disruption cover. You may be able to cut your trip short or cancel it entirely.

I’m travelling out there, will this affect my holiday?

If you are heading to the affected departments, there is a high probability that your chosen destination will have received heavy rainfall. Call ahead to see whether your accommodation has been affected.

Can I cancel my holiday?

If your trip has been dramatically impacted by the floods, then your tour operator will be contractually obliged to provide suitable alternative arrangements or offer you a refund.

Accommodation providers should give refunds if they can no longer accept guests.

If you want to cancel your trip out of choice, it is unlikely that you will be entitled to a refund. Contact your tour operator, accommodation provider or insurer company to discuss your options.