At least 11 people including a nun have died, one person is missing and five have been seriously injured in flash foods in southwestern France in an area popular with British tourists and expatriates.

The Aude department, home to the medieval fort city of Carcassonne, sustained seven months of its average rainfall in one night in the worst floods in the area since 1891.

A nun was swept to her death by rising waters in the village of Villardonnel, where her convent was partially destroyed, and at least four died overnight in Villegailhenc, local authorities said.

A sixth person also died in Trèbes. Local authorities raised the death toll to 13 by early afternoon but revised it back down to 11 later on Monday, with one missing and eight injured.

“This is a temporary toll and as reconnaissance continues during rescue efforts, it is possible it could get worse,” warned Edouard Philippe, the prime minister, who visited the flooded area.

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to travel to the Aude region in the coming days.