(Reuters) Across The Aude, Tarn and Pyrenees Orientales regions, helicopters, divers and firemen took corpses and survivors from houses, sewers and cars stuck in trees. Officials said two people were still missing on Sunday afternoon and that the death toll could go higher.
 
Residents said in some areas the floods — which destroyed roads, railways, bridges, power cables and drinking water supplies after torrential rains began sweeping the region on Friday — were the worst in more than 50 years.
 
Voynet told LCI television that local authorities and businesses often wanted to opt for development rather than safety in flood-prone areas. “When there’s a disaster the first question people ask is ’what is the government doing?’,” Voynet said. “But as soon as the disaster fades from their memory ... in many cases (regional) authorities and business people challenge us when we say land is unsuitable for building because of flood risks.”
 
“Fewer housing estates and private homes are built than in the past but disputes often occur over the construction of light industry zones or sewage plants and I am subject to protests from officials,” she added.