Storms ease in southern France

Forecasters predicted better weather today as southern France reeled from storms that killed five people, forced thousands to evacuate their homes and crippled transport.

Just eight regions, down from 19 at the height of the flooding on Tuesday, were covered by storm warnings early today from the national weather service.

It forecast a “clear improvement in meteorological conditions” for later in the day.

The government promised quick compensation for flood victims. Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin authorised €12.15m for emergency relief.

Towns and villages were inundated across the south, roads and train tracks were damaged as far north as Lyon.

National rail company SNCF said train services were gradually getting back to normal today.

In the Ardeche and Drome regions, technicians restarted nuclear power generators that had been shut down when debris in floodwaters threatened to clog cooling systems.