Depression Monica, which is sweeping the south of France, has caused heavy rainfall and strong gusts. Ten departments are placed on orange rain-flood, violent wind, flood or avalanche alert. In Haute-Loire, the snow storm completely paralyzed Mont Mézenc, with snowdrifts more than a meter high.
Fortunately the snowplow was in front, that helped us a lot.
Fortunately the snowplow was in front, that helped us a lot.
A vacationer
In 24 hours, nearly a meter of new snow fell. The trees are bending and on the roads, cars are rare. In the holiday village, departures were rushed or delayed. Out of caution, a father decided to sleep one more night. “I decided to extend, given what’s happening, it’s blowing. Since I’m alone with my three children, I find that taking the road, if something happens to me, it would be a bit catastrophic”, he says. He will pay for the extra night, but breakfast will be offered by the hotel.
A commercial gesture for François Guillemet, the director, who wanted to keep his customers safe. “We have around ten arrivals planned for today, knowing that I already know that there are people who will not come. Today, I have two cancellations for the moment”, he testifies. Some, better equipped, took the road despite the risks. “That worried us a little. And then we were on our way, we had to arrive. But we’re in the right place, everything is fine. Fortunately the snowplow was ahead, that helped us a lot.” sums up a vacationer.
By Sunday morning, traffic conditions should be back to normal.
V.F | TF1 report: Colyne Emeriau and Patrick Delannes