Several French departments are on orange weather alert this Monday, 19 October, as a Mediterranean episode bears down on the region. Forecasters expect intense rain and violent thunderstorms, and the expected rainfall totals are described as very high. Flooding is the main fear, with the concern that water will accumulate faster than drains and waterways can absorb. Hail is also forecast during the storms, and it can be heavy enough to smash windows and flatten crops. Tornadoes appear on the list of possible phenomena as well, which raises the seriousness of the warning. Orange is France's second-highest alert level and signals dangerous weather that requires extra caution. The affected areas will remain under close watch as the episode progresses.