Storm Alex: no injuries to report in Monaco overnight
©Direction de la Communication / Stéphane Danna
Storm Alex fortunately had only a very limited impact on Monaco as it passed through the region.
Despite sustained winds gusting at up to 80 kilometres an hour, the high point was a period of intense rain yesterday evening at around 9 p.m., when more than 105 millimetres of rain fell in around an hour. There were no victims within the Principality; damage was limited and of a material nature only.
The strong downpours led to the fire brigade being called out on around 30 occasions. The majority of these were requests for assistance due to flooding in private premises and on basement level 2 of the Larvotto car park, where the ground was entirely covered by approximately 20 centimetres of water.
Firefighters also attended a landslide on Chemin des Révoirs in Beausoleil and a downed tree on the prison terrace.
In total, some 50 firefighters were mobilised for these operations, including more than 40 on the ground with 15 fire engines. Around 30 police officers were also involved.
From 6 p.m. yesterday evening, the Prince’s Government activated a centre to accommodate anyone stranded as a result of the complete shutdown of SNCF rail and intercity bus services. With support from the Palace Guards and Monaco Red Cross volunteers, 350 beds were set up at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. Due to a lack of demand, the centre was closed at 9 p.m. Only one person required accommodation, and to avoid opening up the facility just for them, the Red Cross took the individual to a hotel in Beausoleil.
The second part of the night was much calmer, with good weather returning by the end of the night. This morning, rail and Lignes d’Azur bus services have resumed normal operations, and all of the Principality’s road infrastructure is once again open to users.
Access to the coast is no longer restricted, with the specific exception of the Solarium beach, which remains closed due to residual swell. The ban on entering and leaving the ports has also been lifted.
