Hundreds evacuated from Lourdes due to flooding

Photo ~ View of the Grotto of Lourdes flooded, in Lourdes, southwestern France, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012. French rescue services and police are evacuating hundreds of pilgrims from hotels threatened by floodwaters from a rain-swollen river in the Roman Catholic shrine town of Lourdes. Photo: Bob Edme / AP

Hundreds evacuated from Lourdes due to flooding

Lourdes, France, Oct 20, 2012 / 11:17 am (CNA).- Flooding in southwestern France has forced hundreds of pilgrims to evacuate the Marian apparition site and nearby hotels.

The Gave River, which runs through the city where the Blessed Mother appeared several times to the peasant girl St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858, burst its banks after days of heavy rain invaded the region.

A spokesperson for the Marian Sanctuary said the grotto itself is under about 3 feet of water and more rain is expected.

Only the basilica, which is built on higher ground than the grotto, is still accessible.

More rain was forecast for the evening, while 8,000 homes in the region were without power. Link