France Faces Widespread Flooding and Damage as Storm Pedro Subsides

France is grappling with the aftermath of Storm Pedro after enduring one of its longest rain spells since the 1950s, resulting in severe flooding across several western departments. The storm, following 36 consecutive days of heavy rain, has prompted a state of red alert for five departments: Loire-Atlantique, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Charente-Maritime, and Maine-et-Loire.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a meeting on February 19 with ministers, prefects, and local officials to coordinate government responses to the ongoing floods, emphasizing the need for full mobilization. Among the hardest-hit areas is Angers, where the rising waters of the Maine River have flooded streets, forced bridge closures, and led to the removal of electronic parking meters to mitigate damage. The mayor warned that flood levels could surpass 6.12 meters, jeopardizing extensive parts of the city.

In Charente-Maritime, the town of Saintes has seen more than 2,000 homes affected with floodwaters expected to peak over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Gironde region is confronting a complex situation where some waterways are receding slowly, but urban areas such as Bordeaux face swelling waters exacerbated by high tides. Local authorities are prioritizing the restoration of road access and the securing of potable water supplies.

Agriculture has suffered heavy losses due to submerged crops, raising concerns about the long-term impact on future harvests. Amid this crisis, tensions have surfaced between local government officials and the national government. Disputes center on flood risk management funding, especially following remarks by the Minister of Ecological Transition regarding local responsibility for funding related projects. To address these issues, a proposal to increase financial aid to vulnerable communities is scheduled for discussion in the Senate in April.

While Storm Pedro is moving away and weather conditions are improving with milder, sunnier skies across southern France and ongoing strong mistral winds in some regions, significant challenges remain. Many affected areas still face severe flooding without immediate prospects for improvement. This extensive weather event has created an unprecedented flood scenario, covering a vast territory of the country, prompting a robust government and local response to mitigate further damage and support affected communities.