France floods: Four departments on red alert after record 35-day rain spell

2026-02-19 - 12:52

Devastating floods swept across western France Thursday, breaking a 66-year record for consecutive rainfall and forcing four departments onto red alert. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu called for "total mobilization" on social media, declaring: "The state is engaged immediately, without delay and without respite, alongside the affected residents and impacted municipalities. Procedures to recognize a state of natural disaster have been launched." Hardest-Hit Regions and Infrastructure Impact Meteo-France placed Maine-et-Loire, Charente-Maritime, Gironde, and Lot-et-Garonne on maximum alert, with the Angers region in Maine-et-Loire suffering particularly severe flooding. Broadcaster BFMTV reported rivers overflowing into streets and homes across the city. The Seine River is also flooding in Paris, though less severely than western areas, prompting precautionary closures of several strategic routes. Rail traffic across western France has been disrupted as the country braces for Storm Pedro. Historic Rainfall and Avalanche Risk France has endured 35 consecutive days of precipitation, marking the longest continuous rain period since record-keeping began in 1959. Meteo-France additionally warned of high avalanche risk in the Alps, with conditions potentially turning "critical." The unprecedented weather pattern has overwhelmed infrastructure across multiple regions, testing emergency response capabilities as authorities work to protect affected communities and assess damage.