Storm Nils Triggers Severe Flooding and Evacuations in Southwestern France

Severe flooding caused by Storm Nils continues to impact southwestern France, particularly in the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments, with the Garonne River maintained on red alert at least until Monday. Water levels have risen significantly, reaching as high as 10.24 meters in Marmande and 9.70 meters in La Réole — surpassing flood levels seen in 2021. Several villages have reported water level rises of up to one meter, with some areas completely isolated by floodwaters.

Authorities have ordered extensive evacuations due to fears over levee stability. Approximately 1,500 residents have been evacuated in the Lot-et-Garonne region, including about 500 people from Aiguillon where the integrity of the defenses is particularly threatened. These evacuations add to previous displacements, totaling around 900 evacuees across twenty municipalities. The peak of flooding was anticipated on Saturday afternoon in Lot-et-Garonne and early Sunday in Gironde.

The ongoing flood emergency is part of a broader "generalized flood" situation affecting many parts of France. Thirty departments remain on alert for flooding or other weather hazards, with two under red alert and eleven on orange. A new weather disturbance expected from Brittany threatens to raise river levels further, intensifying concerns over river overflows particularly downstream of Agen along the Garonne.

The mobilization of emergency services is significant — in Gironde alone, 700 firefighters have been deployed alongside numerous interventions since the storm began. Transport disruptions due to the storm have affected train services in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. French President Emmanuel Macron has urged citizens to exercise prudence and strictly follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.

Overall, the storm and heavy rainfalls have created a critical flood risk demanding heightened vigilance and ongoing response efforts in southwestern France as water levels threaten to breach defenses and affect thousands of residents.