ANTIBES, France — In a matter of minutes, torrential rains transformed the postcard-perfect French Riviera into a terrifying flood zone, leaving at least 16 dead, trapping hundreds of ailing pilgrims and halting car and train traffic Sunday along the Mediterranean coast.

Victims were found dead in a retirement home, campsites, and cars submerged in a tunnel. Residents, stunned by the ferocity of the brief downpour Saturday night, described it as the worst flooding they'd ever seen.

Helicopters patrolled the area and 27,000 homes were without electricity Sunday after rivers overflowed their banks and fierce thunderstorms poured more than 6.7 inches of rain in Cannes.

The Cannes region saw the equivalent of two months of rainfall in less than two hours.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Aircraft and ships searching off the Bahamas islands for a U.S. cargo ship that lost contact during Hurricane Joaquin have found more debris and clues but no definitive word yet on the fate of the vessel or the 33 people on board.The owner of the 790-foot El Faro said a container that appears to have come from the ship was found, while the Coast Guard said it had located a debris field.Searchers also spotted an oil sheen and found a life ring from the El Faro.Chief Petty Officer Bobby Nash said it was too early to come to any conclusion.