Storm Alex floods Alpes-Maritimes valleys, causing deaths and road damage
On 2 October 2020 the Alpes‑Maritimes department was placed on red alert for heavy rain and flooding, prompting prefect Bernard Gonzalez to close schools and prepare for severe conditions, while the coastal area received only moderate rain. The storm intensified by midday in the Nice and Menton valleys, delivering about 500 mm of rain in 24 hours to Saint‑Martin‑Vésubie, far exceeding forecasts. The event, later known as storm Alex, caused over 70 km of road damage, destroyed 180‑200 homes, isolated roughly 1,000 residents, and resulted in ten deaths and eight missing persons, including a comm1
The extensive destruction and loss of life marked storm Alex as a legendary disaster in France, with significant economic impacts reported in the region. The flooding and road closures likely affected ground access to nearby airports, potentially disrupting operations at Nice‑Côte d’Azur Airport and other regional facilities.1