Storm Nils Triggers Red Flood Alerts in Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne Amid Widespread Weather Warnings

Storm Nils continues to cause severe weather disruptions across France, with the departments of Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne placed under red vigilance due to significant flooding risks from the Garonne River. Vigicrues forecasts considerable river overflow beginning Wednesday night into Thursday, with expected water levels surpassing those seen during January 2022 floods and comparable to February 2021. This red alert highlights an “important and lasting” flood threat as Storm Nils impacts the western coastline.

Concurrently, Météo-France issued a red alert for the Aude department starting Thursday morning due to violent winds associated with the storm, which is anticipated to reach the Atlantic coast Wednesday evening and shift towards the Gulf of Lion and Corsica by Thursday. Approximately 33 departments are under orange alerts to monitor risks such as flooding, strong winds, avalanches, and wave submersions, particularly in southern Corsica.

The storm has also disrupted transportation: train services to several destinations including Tours, Chartres, Vierzon, and Poitiers face interruptions and cancellations, especially in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, while maritime traffic between Corsica and the mainland is affected. Schools in Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude will be closed due to the red wind warning.

Elsewhere, departments like Morbihan, Vendée, and Deux-Sèvres are on orange alert for flooding, with persistent thunderstorm risks along the Mediterranean coast amidst generally mild temperatures during the February school holidays.

These developments underline the wide-ranging impact of Storm Nils across France, combining heavy rains, floods, and strong winds that are expected to persist in the coming days.