Severe Flooding Crisis in France Hits Red Alert Zones with Major Infrastructure Disruptions

France continues to face a dire flooding crisis as of February 16, 2026, with 15 departments under flood alert and three—Maine-et-Loire, Gironde, and Lot-et-Garonne—placed in red alert due to severe water levels and infrastructure damage. The situation remains highly critical with ongoing risks to local communities and vital infrastructure.

Significant flooding along the Garonne River has led to record water levels in several towns: Marmande at 10.34 meters, La Réole at 9.85 meters, and Tonneins at 9.56 meters. The red alert regions are grappling with the consequences of strong storms, particularly storm Nils, which struck on Wednesday evening, leaving around 35,700 households without electricity and 19,550 without internet access. The flooding has also disrupted water supplies, notably in Dordogne where approximately 9,200 households lack tap water, and the use of tap water is prohibited in 18 communes due to contamination risks.

In the Lot-et-Garonne department, at least eight dikes have suffered damage or have been submerged, sparking urgent calls for repairs from Karine Duc, president of the local agricultural chamber. She highlighted that local farmers are ready to assist with restoration efforts and have requested military support to expedite cleanup and repair operations. These concerns reflect the vulnerability of flood defenses in the face of ongoing heavy rains and rising river levels.

The Loire Saumuroise and Basses Vallées Angevines areas within Maine-et-Loire are experiencing major flooding as reported by Vigicrue, France's flood monitoring agency. While some regions like the Pyrénées have seen flood warnings lifted, the overall risk remains high due to potential further rainfall and water flow from upstream exacerbating already swollen rivers.

The prefect of Gironde, Etienne Guyot, noted a slight decrease in water levels but cautioned that more rain could reverse this progress. Vigicrue’s director, Lucie Chadourne-Facon, warned that river levels might continue rising even after rains cease, underlining the persistent threat.

Meanwhile, residents of Charente-Maritime face street-level flooding in Saintes, where the overflow of the Charente River has led to the creation of provisional walkways to maintain pedestrian access.

With infrastructure damage evident, widespread power and internet outages, and drinking water restrictions, emergency services and local authorities remain on high alert as they coordinate response efforts amidst an evolving and precarious flood situation in western and southwestern France.