Garonne River Flooding: Red Alert Continues as More Rain Looms in France

Severe Flooding Continues in Southwestern France as Garonne River Remains on Red Alert

Southwestern France is grappling with ongoing severe flooding as the Garonne River remains at a red alert level. The situation, triggered by Storm Nils, continues to disrupt communities in the Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne departments, with residents expressing growing concern over the increasing frequency of such events.

The Garonne River reached its peak flood level on Saturday in Lot-et-Garonne, but authorities report a stabilization rather than a significant decline. Bruno André, the prefect of the department, anticipates a slight rise in water levels again on Tuesday and Wednesday, though he stressed it is not expected to be “spectacular, nor rapid.”

In Gironde, water levels are also stabilizing, with a slow decrease anticipated by late Sunday afternoon, according to Vigicrues, the French flood monitoring service. However, the forecast return of rainfall, combined with high tides, poses a risk of renewed flooding.

The scale of the inundation has left residents feeling increasingly vulnerable. Bruno Marty, the mayor of La Réole, one of the hardest-hit towns in Gironde, described the scene to Agence France-Presse as “an ocean,” adding, “It’s scary, it’s like a lake. Let’s remain cautious, it’s raining a lot and all the soil is saturated.”

Approximately 1,500 people have been evacuated in Lot-et-Garonne, including 500 from Aiguillon, where the stability of the levees is particularly threatened. These evacuations add to previous displacements, bringing the total number of evacuees across twenty municipalities to around 900.

Richard Gauthier, the mayor of Bassane in Gironde, wearing a red life vest, voiced the growing anxiety among residents. “Of course, it worries us because, inevitably, the 2021 flood is still fresh in our minds. It’s recent, it’s still in our heads,” he said. “I think we are beyond 2021 now. So yes, it’s worrying.”

Water levels in Marmande reached 10.24 meters and 9.70 meters in La Réole, surpassing levels seen during the 2021 floods. Several villages have reported water level rises of up to one meter, with some areas becoming completely isolated.

The ongoing flood emergency is part of a broader “generalized flood” situation affecting many parts of France. Authorities are urging continued vigilance as further rainfall threatens to exacerbate the already challenging conditions. The red alert for the Garonne River is expected to remain in place at least until Monday.

Residents are bracing for the possibility of more frequent extreme weather events, reflecting a growing sense of resignation and concern about the long-term impacts of climate change on the region.