Structures reduced to rubble, ground destroyed after devastating floods in southwest France

At least 13 people have died in the popular tourist destination of Carcassonne in southwestern France after heavy rains caused severe flooding.

The equivalent of three months of rainfall was dumped overnight in the Aude region, where a red alert – the highest weather warning was placed. In just a few hours, the heavy rains swelled rivers and flooded fields and towns, according to officials.

This video, filmed October 16, shows the destruction in Villegailhenc, a commune in Aude.

Among the victims is one woman who was swept away by the waters in the town of Villardonnel, and another individual who was injured as a house collapsed in Cuxac.

President Emmanuel Macron's office said he would visit the affected areas "as soon as possible".