France Floods: Riviera declared a "natural disaster zone" as death toll rises to 19

As clean-up operations begin along the coast 19 people have been confirmed dead with 2 still missing

The devastation caused by flash floods along the french Riviera have been further realised this morning as the death toll rose to 19, as a further 2 people still remain missing.

The flood hit the area on saturday evening hitting towns such as Cannes, with the biggest damage realised in Mandelieu-la Napoule where 7 people drowned in their cars and the city of Antibes that saw three elderly people drown in a retirement home

French president Francios Hollande, who has spent time visiting the area since the flooding, declared the area a "state of natural disaster" offering his condolences and insisting "its not over" and that those who remain in the region should stay vigilant. "The toll is not yet finalised. In times like this, we must be fast, efficient and coordinated."

Eric Ciotti from the Alpes-Maritime department tweeted: "We have lived through an apocalyptic situation that we have never experience before".

The main motorway in the area remains closed with thousands stranded at various train stations and Nice Airport. 10,000 homes are still without elecricity