Exceptional Flooding Hits Hérault Region with Record Water Levels and Emergency Responses

The Hérault region in southern France faced unprecedented flooding on the evening of December 22, 2025, as the Hérault River surged to a historic peak of 3.56 meters in Agde — the highest flood level recorded in 30 years. This severe flood event was triggered by exceptional rainfall, with accumulations reaching between 70 to 120 millimeters in parts of the department, including around Montpellier.

The floodwaters led to significant damage as promenades along the river flooded and several nearby streets were inundated, although the main bridge in Agde remained accessible. In response, the department of Hérault was placed under red vigilance by Météo-France, signaling the highest alert level. Additionally, five other departments—Aveyron, Haute-Corse, Lozère, Tarn, and Var—were placed on orange alert due to flood risks expected to continue through Tuesday morning.

Authorities and emergency services launched extensive operations, receiving over 1,000 emergency calls and conducting 61 rescue actions. Approximately 1,000 homes, particularly in Montpellier, experienced power outages. Local firefighters evacuated several residents from Agde, relocating five inhabitants to the sports palace for safety. The city authorities took precautionary measures by closing parks, gardens, cemeteries, the zoo, and the Christmas market, as well as restricting access to key quays along the Lez River and halting parts of the tram network.

Though the water levels began to show signs of decline early on December 23, Agde’s mayor, Sébastien Frey, urged residents to remain vigilant and to strictly follow safety instructions and road signage due to ongoing risks. Residents expressed surprise at the flood's severity, with one noting it was the worst in eight years. Meanwhile, the prefecture of Haute-Corse warned of potential flooding along the Tavignano River as rainfall persisted into the night before expected gradual easing.

This extraordinary flooding marks one of the most significant hydrological events since November 1994 and represents a major challenge for emergency responders and local communities in the Hérault department.