Search Continues for 74-Year-Old Man Swept Away by Floodwaters in Ardèche

Rescue teams are intensively searching for a 74-year-old man in Ardèche who was swept away by a swollen river while attempting to secure his car during severe flooding on November 16, 2025. The incident occurred in the commune of Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès amid ongoing heavy rains and flood alerts issued by Météo-France. The man disappeared after leaving his home by the Rieutord river, which overflowed due to recent downpours.

Authorities have deployed a vast rescue operation involving more than 60 firefighters, around 50 gendarmes, a civil security helicopter, and drone teams to locate the missing man. Despite previously being placed under an orange alert for rain and flood risks, the warning has recently been downgraded to yellow in most affected areas like Ardèche, Drôme, and Isère, though it remains orange in Alpes-Maritimes until 6 PM.

Prefect Benoît Trévisani urged residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel as rivers remain swollen and road closures persist. Christian Estrosi, mayor of Nice, announced the opening of a vigilance cell to oversee the situation and advised the closure of public parks, gardens, cemeteries, and coastal areas to reduce risk.

The missing man’s partner had not seen him return from attempting to move the vehicle to safety, triggering the emergency response. Residents continue to face hazardous conditions as authorities monitor the rainfall and river levels closely.

This unfolding rescue operation underscores the severity of weather-related risks in southeastern France during this period, with emergency services maintaining heightened alertness amid the persistent threats posed by the floods.