Exceptional Flooding in Lot-et-Garonne Due to Storm Nils Prompts Mass Evacuations

The Lot-et-Garonne region in France is grappling with severe flooding caused by Storm Nils, with water levels reaching unprecedented heights and prompting large-scale evacuations. According to Joël Hocquelet, the mayor of Lot-et-Garonne, the flooding is exceptional, with water levels surpassing 10 meters on February 14, splitting the town of Marmande into two and underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In the village of Aiguillon alone, around 500 residents were evacuated as a precaution, contributing to approximately 900 evacuations across twenty communes in the region. Other areas such as Tonneins and Marmande recorded water heights of 9.58 meters and 10.24 meters respectively, exceeding levels seen in the 2021 floods. Olivier Konrad from the Arcachon nautical brigade noted some places, including La Réole which measured 9.70 meters, faced a rise in water levels of about one meter, raising concerns that dikes might be breached if the flooding intensifies.

The peak flooding was expected in the early evening of February 14 in Lot-et-Garonne, with Gironde to experience its peak shortly after. French President Emmanuel Macron called for caution and urged residents to adhere strictly to the safety guidelines set by authorities. Numerous villages have been completely isolated due to the floodwaters, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Local authorities remain on high alert, with preventive measures focused on evacuations and monitoring dike conditions to avoid catastrophic breaches. The combination of exceptional water levels and widespread evacuations highlights the significant impact of Storm Nils on the region, emphasizing a continuing state of emergency as waters remain elevated.