Storm Charles Causes Landslides in Southern France
Listen to the story
Storm Charles has struck the south-east of France, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the Alpes-Maritimes region.
The storm has caused a series of landslides, where large amounts of earth and rock slide down hillsides suddenly.
Heavy rainfall also led to serious flooding in the area, as rivers rose quickly and water spread across roads and land.
The floodwaters caused damage to homes, roads and other property, and authorities are continuing to assess the situation.
During the floods, emergency services carried out a dangerous rescue operation to save people trapped by the rising water.
The Alpes-Maritimes is a region in south-eastern France, known for its coastline and mountains near the Mediterranean Sea.
Local authorities are closely monitoring the weather, as more rain could worsen the risk of further landslides and flooding.
Residents in affected areas have been warned to stay alert and follow safety instructions from officials.
This storm is part of a wider pattern of severe weather events that have recently affected the region.
Vocabulary10 words
- storm
- very bad weather with strong wind and rain
- landslides
- sudden falls of earth and rock down a hill
- flooding
- water covering land that is usually dry
- floodwaters
- water from a flood
- emergency services
- teams that help people in dangerous situations
- rescue operation
- organized action to save people in danger
- authorities
- people or groups in charge, like the government
- coastline
- the edge of land next to the sea
- residents
- people who live in a place
- severe
- very serious or strong
📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?
Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.
Quiz
Answer key
1. Storm Charles 2. Emergency services carried out a dangerous rescue operation. 3. True
✅ Nice work on the quiz!
Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
_____ Charles has struck the south-east of France, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the Alpes-Maritimes region.
The storm has caused a series of _____, where large amounts of earth and rock slide down hillsides suddenly.
Heavy rainfall also led to serious _____ in the area, as rivers rose quickly and water spread across roads and land.
The _____ caused damage to homes, roads and other property, and authorities are continuing to assess the situation.
During the floods, _____ carried out a dangerous rescue operation to save people trapped by the rising water.
The Alpes-Maritimes is a _____ in south-eastern France, known for its coastline and mountains near the Mediterranean Sea.
Local authorities are closely monitoring the weather, as more rain could worsen the risk of further _____ and flooding.
Residents in affected areas have been warned to stay alert and follow safety instructions from _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think storms can cause both landslides and flooding at the same time?
- What should people do to stay safe during a flood warning?
- How might rescue services prepare for dangerous operations like the one mentioned in the article?
- Have you experienced severe weather where you live? What happened?
🎓 Enjoyed this story?
Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.