Storm Pedro Continues to Lash Western France, Four Departments on Red Alert
Western France remains on high alert as Storm Pedro continues to bring torrential rain and powerful winds, triggering widespread flooding, and evacuations. As of , four departments – Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, and Maine-et-Loire – are under red alert for flooding, with a further nine departments on orange alert.
The storm, which has been impacting the region for over a week, has caused significant disruption, with soil moisture levels reaching their highest point since records began in 1959. Météo France, the national weather forecaster, warned that winds of 100 kilometers per hour or more are expected to persist across the southwest, with gusts potentially reaching 140 km/h.
In Lot-et-Garonne, approximately 1,700 people have been evacuated since , due to rising floodwaters. The Garonne River in La Réole, Gironde, has seen water levels fall slightly, but the disruption to the drinking water network continues to affect several towns in the region.
Authorities in Angers are bracing for what they describe as the highest level of flooding in 25 years. To mitigate the impact, roads along the Maine river have been deliberately flooded to reduce pressure on the river elsewhere. Mayor Christophe Béchu described the situation as critical, with floodwaters spreading hundreds of metres beyond the river’s banks.
The situation in Gironde is particularly severe, with major flooding along the Garonne River near La Réole. According to reports from , 78,000 people were without mobile phone service and 36,000 households were without electricity, although power has been partially restored. Emergency services have deployed a team of 250 people from ENEDIS to work on restoring power.
Road infrastructure has been significantly impacted, with 67 departmental roads closed and several bridges shut down, including those in Langoiran and Cadillac. The Dordogne and Isle rivers are also on orange alert, with peak flooding anticipated at later times.
The alerts extend beyond flooding, with Yvelines under an orange alert for snow and ice. Météo-France has issued alerts in 89 departments nationwide, urging vigilance and adherence to safety measures. Snow accumulation of up to 5 cm and the risk of freezing rain are concerns in Yvelines.
The ongoing severe weather follows a brief lull on , but Météo France forecasts further widespread disruption across western France as Storm Pedro continues to deliver heavy rainfall to already saturated ground. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are continuing to monitor the storm’s progress and provide assistance to affected communities.
