Western France Faces Record Flooding as Storm Nils Claims Lives and Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

France is grappling with one of its most severe flooding episodes in decades as Storm Nils continues to wreak havoc across western and southwestern regions. With soil moisture levels breaking records since measurements began in 1959, the country faces what officials describe as an unprecedented generalized flood situation.

Record-Breaking Conditions

"For 30 days we have been in continuous orange or red alert somewhere on the national territory," said Lucie Chadourne-Facon, director of Vigicrues, France's flood monitoring service. "That is 81 departments in alert simultaneously for 154 rivers, so we have exceeded all our records."

The saturated soils have lost their ability to absorb rainfall, meaning even modest showers now pose a flooding threat. The Garonne River has burst its banks in southwestern France, with water levels reaching 10.34 meters at Marmande, 9.85 meters at La Réole, and 9.56 meters at Tonneins.

Death Toll and Evacuations

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon confirmed at least two fatalities linked to Storm Nils: a lorry driver killed when a tree branch fell onto his vehicle near Dax in the Landes department, and a man found deceased in his garden in Tarn-et-Garonne.

Approximately 1,600 people have been evacuated across the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments since February 14. A breached embankment at Sainte-Croix-du-Mont sent floodwater through Peyrat, blocking roads and forcing dozens more to flee their homes.

Power and Infrastructure Crisis

Storm Nils left between 850,000 and 900,000 households without power initially, with around 35,700 homes in the region still without electricity as of February 16. More than 1,400 mobile phone towers went offline, causing widespread communication disruptions.

"Flooding complicates repairs because the fields are waterlogged and some roads are blocked," explained Hervé Champenois, Enedis crisis director. In the Dordogne department, more than 9,000 homes remain without drinking water due to contamination concerns, with tap water use prohibited in 18 communes.

Infrastructure Damage

At least eight dikes in the Lot-et-Garonne department have suffered damage or been submerged. Karine Duc, president of the local agricultural chamber, has called for urgent repairs and requested military support to expedite cleanup operations. Local farmers have volunteered to assist with restoration efforts.

Alpine Impact

The storm also brought significant snowfall to the French Alps, with 60 to 100 centimeters recorded by February 13, and locally higher amounts in the Mont Blanc massif. The strongest wind gust reached 185 km/h at Cagnano, with gusts of 180 km/h recorded at Caixas in the Aspres area.

Looking Ahead

While some regions may see drier weather returning, officials warn that the end of rain does not mean the end of flooding. Fresh rainfall expected in southern areas could reverse any improvements in water levels, raising fears of further damage toward Agen.

The mayor of Bordeaux, Pierre Hurmic, activated the southwestern city's emergency plan for the first time since record floods in 1999, underscoring the severity of the current crisis.