Since early morning, rain has been falling almost without pause.

The rivers are filling up, and the sky hasn’t cleared once.

This is what locals call a “cévenol”

A storm born when warm, humid air from the Mediterranean collides with cooler air over the Cévennes mountains

It forces massive amounts of water to fall on the valleys below, including Nîmes

But that’s not where you are this afternoon,

Because you’ve just had a long French family lunch in a small village farther north called Saint-Chaptes.

By late afternoon, it’s time to drive back.

First reflex, as usual: you check the travel time on Waze.

When you enter your address, a banner appears:

“Heavy rain expected along your route.”

And you know what the Cévenols are like at this time of year...

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1. What do you do?

A] You decide to stay there for the night.

B] You leave quickly before it gets worse.

C] You wait until the heavy rain warning disappears, then you head out.

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At one point, today or tomorrow, you’ll have to drive back home.

And along the way, you must cross the Gard River by your usual bridge.

When you arrive, here’s what you see:

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2. Do you cross it?

A] You try carefully, at low speed.

B] You turn around to look for another way.

C] You stop to watch and see if other cars go first.

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Unfortunately for you, the water keeps rising.

Whether you tried the bridge or turned elsewhere, the road is now covered and water seeps under your wheels.

You instantly feel the grip fading the car feels heavier, slower to respond.

Until it’s too high, and you lose control of the car completely.

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3. Your first reflex

A] Unbuckle your seatbelt.

B] Try to open the door.

C] Try to open the window.

🔍 Your Choices

Let’s review each decision.

1. What do you do?

A] You decide to stay there for the night. ​ ​ +3

B] You leave quickly before it gets worse. ​ ​ +1

C] You wait until the heavy rain warning disappears, then you head out. +2

It will only get worse along your way. The speed at which water rises can be shocking.

The safest choice is always not to take the road at all. Better to arrive late than not arrive at all.

Even waiting for the warning to disappear can be misleading, calmer skies don’t mean safer roads after an event life that.

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2. Do you cross it?

A] You try carefully, at low speed. ​ +1

B] You turn around to look for another way. ​ +3

C] You stop to watch and see if other cars go first. +2

Just 30 cm of moving water can sweep away a car.

Crossing a flooded bridge is suicide, no matter the reason.

And if someone else tries, you should stop them as long as you don’t put yourself in danger.

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3. Your first reflex

A] Unbuckle your seatbelt. +1

B] Try to open the door. ​ +2

C] Try to open the window. +3

Once water reaches your car, every second counts.

You must create an exit immediately.

Forget the door, water pressure will block it. The window is your only chance.

Only after opening it, you can unbuckle your seatbelt.

Because if the water reaches the top of the window, it won’t open anymore, and you’ll be trapped.

Nearly 2/3 of flood deaths happen inside a vehicle.

⚖️ The Verdict

Add up your points and see where you stand.

​

3–4 points → You are probably dead.

👉 Your decisions exposed you to the worst risks. In a real scenario, your chances of survival would be minimal.

5–6 points → You might be lucky this time.

👉 Your choices weren’t the best, but with some luck you might have made it. Don’t count on luck next time.

7–9 points → You put the odds on your side.

👉 You applied the right reflexes. Nothing is guaranteed with Nature, but you maximized your chances of getting through alive.

📜 Next Week’s Historic Date

Last year…

On October 29, 2024, torrential rain fell in the Valencia region, Spain