IN PICTURES. Flooded roads, closed schools, torn roads… torrential rains fall on Marseille

The Bouches-du-Rhône department is placed on yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain-flooding by the French weather forecast. Nearly 76 mm fell on Marseille between 7 and 8 a.m., making traffic conditions difficult, buildings flooded, schools and nurseries closed.

The Bouches-du-Rhône department is placed on yellow alert for thunderstorms and rain-flooding by the French weather forecast. Torrential rains fall across the entire department and the City reminds that “Intense precipitation is currently underway. Accumulations could reach 20 to 40 mm and up to 50 to 60 mm locally“.

“Nearly 76 mm has just fallen in Marseille in a few hours, including 48 mm between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. That’s more than a month of precipitation again. And more than enough to create significant difficulties on the roads“, says Paul Marquis, weather expert, on X.

While the rain subsided after 9 a.m., it is time to take stock. Marseillais were put to the test, the road was torn away under the pressure of the rain. As is the case at the corner of rue Grignan and rue Breteuil:

Be careful, falling rocks. This October 8 in the morning, we had to watch where we were walking, but also look up to the sky… the heavy rains also caused stones to fall from certain buildings. The proof in pictures, rue Breteuil.

These torrential rains did not remain without consequences. In Marseille, some schools were flooded, making it impossible to accommodate children, as is the case at the Montolivet school, in the 12th arrondissement of Marseille.

But it’s not the only one. The Cauvin and Haïti schools in Saint-Barnabé are also there, as well as the Château crèche.

The roads, too, were made impassable, given the weather conditions. Whether on the Quai de la Joliette side, where the roadway is flooded.

The scenario is the same Boulevard Chave.

In some places, such as Dromel, the road is no longer visible at all.

On the Boulevard Michelet side, the Huveaune is crazy, as shown in the video below:

Clearly, you have to be patient this morning. Traffic is very slow on the main roads, up to a 50-minute journey between Mazargues and Le Corbusier, in the 8th and 9th arrondissements of Marseille.

Cars suffered heavy damage, drowned, like under this bridge, as shown in the video published on X (ex-twitter):

Traffic is therefore complicated throughout the city of Marseille and its outskirts. The RTM announces numerous disruptions to its buses and trams. Track traffic in real time. However, the metros are not safe, like the Noailles station which is taking on water.

On the side of Saint-Charles Station, which is also taking on water, disruptions are expected, particularly on trains coming from and arriving from Gap.

Despite a lull, traffic conditions could remain complicated this Tuesday morning, given the state of the roads which remain difficult to pass.