In Pictures: Deadly floods hit Carcassonne area of south-western France

At least 11 people died after heavy storms swamped parts of southwestern France, flooding rivers and cutting off roads, officials said Monday.

The Aude department, which includes the fortress city of Carcassonne, was particularly badly hit.

One woman was swept to her death by rising waters in the Aude village of Villardonnel, and at least four died overnight in Villegailhenc, local authorities said.

The Aude river reached flood levels not seen in over 100 years, the French agency responsible for monitoring water levels, Vigicrues, said.

There were also concerns in the historic town of Carcassonne as river levels continued to rise on Monday morning.

These pictures tell the story.

(An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows flooded city of Trèbes, near Carcassone. AFP)

( An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows a flooded street in the city of Trèbes, near Carcassone.AFP)

(An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows a flooded street in the city of Trèbes, near Carcassone. AFP)

(An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows a flooded area near the city of Puichéric. AFP)

(An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows a flooded road near the city of Puichéric. AFP)

 (An aerial view taken on October 15, 2018 shows a flooded road near the city of Puichéric. AFP)

 

( An aerial view shows a flooded road on October 15, 2018 near Villemoustaussou, near Carcassone. AFP)

(TRebes. AFP)

 (An aerial view shows a damaged car in a flooded field in the city of Villegailhenc, near Carcassonne. AFP)

 (Flood waters engulf the land and buildings on October 15, 2018 in Villemoustaussou. AFP)

 

 

 

 (A picture taken in Villemoustaussou, near Carcassone, southern France. AFP)

 

(A picture taken in Villemoustaussou, near Carcassone, southern France. AFP)

 (A man stands on October 15, 2018 in Villemoustaussou, near Carcassone, southern France following floods.)

 

(A firefighter helps a youngster in a flooded street during rescue operation following heavy rains that saw rivers bursting banks on October 15, 2018 in Trebes, near Carcassone, AFP) southern France.)

 (A firefighter helps a youngster in a flooded street during rescue operation following heavy rains that saw rivers bursting banks on October 15, 2018 in Trebes, near Carcassone. AFP)

 

(Firefighters rescue a resident following floods on October 15, 2018 in Trebes, near Carcassone.)

(A civil security helicopter lifts a resident during rescue operation following heavy rains that saw rivers bursting banks on October 15, 2018 in Trebes, near Carcassone. AFP)

 (An elderly woman is evacuated on October 15, 2018 in Villegailhenc in the Aude department after it was particularly badly hit by heavy rain storms which swamped parts of southwestern France. AFP)

 

 (Residents stand by a broken bridge on the river Trapel following floods on October 15, 2018 in Villegailhenc, near Carcassone. AFP)

 (A picture taken on October 15, 2018 in Villegailhenc, near Carcassone, southern France shows the Trapel river which bursted its banks following heavy rains. AFP)