Floods Hit Lourdes Hard

The French government declared Lourdes and the surrounding area a disaster zone Thursday after three people died in flooding caused by melting snow from the Pyrenees Mountains and heavy rain earlier this week. Here, people worked to clean up the sanctuary in Lourdes.
The French government declared Lourdes and the surrounding area a disaster zone Thursday after three people died in flooding caused by melting snow from the Pyrenees Mountains and heavy rain earlier this week. Here, people worked to clean up the sanctuary in Lourdes.
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An estimated 6 million people flock to Lourdes every year to visit the famous Grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared in 1858. Here, the Virgin’s grotto, covered by mud and water Wednesday.
An estimated 6 million people flock to Lourdes every year to visit the famous Grotto of Massabielle, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared in 1858. Here, the Virgin’s grotto, covered by mud and water Wednesday.
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An aerial picture of Villelongue Wednesday shows the flooded Lanne River.
An aerial picture of Villelongue Wednesday shows the flooded Lanne River.
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Local authorities said the grotto itself may reopen in a few days, but some churches, prayer rooms and buildings would be closed for months. Here, the interior of the Catholic Sanctuary at Lourdes was covered by mud and water Wednesday.
Local authorities said the grotto itself may reopen in a few days, but some churches, prayer rooms and buildings would be closed for months. Here, the interior of the Catholic Sanctuary at Lourdes was covered by mud and water Wednesday.
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Residents cleaned up in Saint-Beat after the village was submerged by flash floods.
Residents cleaned up in Saint-Beat after the village was submerged by flash floods.
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Spread over 50 hectares around the grotto, the sanctuary includes many churches, a basilica and medical facilities, to host disabled pilgrims, some of whom credit the local spring water with curing their ailments. Here, people worked to clean up the sanctuary at Lourdes Thursday.
Spread over 50 hectares around the grotto, the sanctuary includes many churches, a basilica and medical facilities, to host disabled pilgrims, some of whom credit the local spring water with curing their ailments. Here, people worked to clean up the sanctuary at Lourdes Thursday.
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A woman cleaned her flooded house Wednesday after the Gave de Pau River flooded the town of Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
A woman cleaned her flooded house Wednesday after the Gave de Pau River flooded the town of Pierrefitte-Nestalas.
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An aerial view of Bareges Wednesday
An aerial view of Bareges Wednesday
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