Storm Nils Triggers Severe Flooding and Red Alerts in Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne

France is grappling with widespread flooding triggered by Storm Nils, which has left two departments, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne, on red alert. The situation remains dire as heavy rains continue to saturate soils and cause rivers to overflow, particularly along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. Vigicrues, the flood monitoring agency, reported that many waterways have reached or exceeded critical overflow levels, with forecasts predicting further rises and major flood peaks possibly nearing those seen in February 2021.

Nearly 900 people have been evacuated from around 20 municipalities in Lot-et-Garonne due to breaches in natural levees and rising waters, while additional evacuations occurred in Bergerac, Dordogne as a precaution. The scale and length of the flooding phenomenon is exceptional, said Mathieu Lefèvre, Minister for Ecological Transition, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance.

Météo-France recorded significant rainfall totals between 60 to 150 millimeters over a 72-hour period from Tuesday to Thursday, worsening conditions on already saturated ground. Since the start of the year, some areas like Quimper have accumulated almost 488 millimeters of precipitation, far exceeding typical monthly averages. These conditions have led to rapid runoff and extended river flooding across a large portion of southwestern France.

The crisis has impacted electricity supplies, with over 260,000 households nationwide still without power despite restoration efforts. Authorities remain on high alert as new rainfalls are expected, exacerbating the flooding risks further. Overall, around 13 departments are on orange alert with approximately 70 on yellow alert nationally due to flood threats.

As emergency teams work to manage evacuations and monitor key flood points along the Garonne, officials urge residents to stay cautious and prepare for ongoing challenges from this severe weather event.