Paris , France ( CNN ) -- The death toll from flash flooding in southern France rose to 25 Thursday as rain continued to inundate the region , authorities said . Up to 20 millimeters ( 0.8 inches ) of rain fell in some areas overnight , the Var prefecture said in a statement . Despite the additional rain , most of the flood waters have begun to recede and cleanup has begun . Some 104,000 homes were without electricity across the region , and 20,000 homes were without phone connections , the 10prefecture said . Rescue operations officially ended Thursday and authorities were focusing on the distribution of food and water , clearing debris and assisting residents of Draguignan , which was hardest hit , authorities said . The city is about 27 miles west of Cannes . Are you there ? Send us your pictures or videos ? Authorities warned residents not to drink water that appears or tastes unusual . They were distributing tens of thousands of bottles of water , along with meals , in the Draguignan area , the prefecture said . More local thunderstorms were forecast for Thursday afternoon and evening , the prefecture said . French President Nicolas Sarkozy was expected to visit the stricken areas next week , authorities said . The flooding , which began Tuesday , forced 2,000 people into shelters , officials said Thursday . Some 1,200 firefighters and 650 police officers have taken part in the rescue effort , the prefecture said . More than 1,400 people have been rescued by helicopter and 100 have been rescued by boat . The flooding also forced French authorities to transfer more than 400 inmates at Draguignan prison to other prisons in the south of France . Var includes the Cote d'Azur , a popular tourist destination along the French Riviera . CNN 's Jim Bittermann , Saskya Vandoorne and Pat Thompson contributed to this report .
Rescue operation officially ends after fatal flash floods . Death toll rises to 300 , 000 say . 500 homes without power ; 20,000 without phones . The area includes popular tourist destination Cote d'Azur .