Torrential rain caused the Rhone River to flood southeastern France, shutting down rail and road transport to some areas and forcing the evacuation of more than 6,000 people. Arles, Avignon, Montpellier, Marseille and the surrounding Bouches-du-Rhone region all were hit hard, with Marseille and environs declared a disaster area. Floodwaters were receding but the cleanup was expected to take at least another week.
