**Updated** Rainstorms cause heavy flood incident in Chamonix

Campers at the Molliasses campsite just off the main road before the Chamonix Sud roundabout had a rude awakening yesterday (Tuesday) morning when a huge pocket of water in the Glacier des Pelerins gave way and flooded the campsite, the access road to the Mont Blanc tunnel and streets nearby.

With heavy rain during the night of Monday, it seems the water had accumulated in the glacier and finally gave way between 07:00 and 08:00 yesterday bringing a torrent of mud, water and ice to the valley floor. Some properties on chemin des Tissourds and rue Marie Paradis had over 2m of water in the basements and the campsite was pretty much washed away.

The fire service were quickly on the scene at the campsite to start the clean up process and 47 campers were relocated to the Youth Hostel in Pelerins, before being allowed to recover their soggy belongings last night.

The road to the Mont Blanc tunnel was immediately shut following the flood, as a section of around 15m wide of embankment was washed away. An army of road services workers started the clean up operation straight away and by the afternoon the tunnel was open to cars and motorbikes using the Chemin du Dard, but the road remains shut for lorries and all HGVs are being stocked in Fayet and along the motorway.

The tunnel road is being assessed today by experts to see if there is any damage to the bridges that the torrent crossed. At the time of writing there is no word on when the road will open again to heavy vehicles.

Photos: Courtesty of Dave Elliott of the Office Bar in Argentiere who was caught in the middle of it the poor chap!