A major stretch of the French Riviera has been declared a natural disaster zone after torential rain caused catastrophic flooding. Towns such as Cannes Antibes and Nice have all be affected. <br /><br /> At least 17 people have been confirmed dead and four others are still missing.<br /><br /> Residents were taken by surprise by the exceptionally violent downpour.<br /><br /> “In ten minutes water rose up to here (showing his legs), in ten minutes, and with the doors closed. It swirled around, it was a terrifying,” said one man.<br /><br /> Those staying in mobile homes had been particularly at risk when the River Brague s broke its banks near Antibes and the force of water swept everything away in its path. <br /><br /> One British tourist told of his narrow escape: “I thought that I was going to die. Because when this was going I thought should I let myself go and travel with the water .. down there. . There was a girl behind me.. she wanted to get her car…she disappeared.”<br /><br /> Many of the victims had been caught in their cars as the
