France Mobilizes Resources as Flooding Crisis Deepens
The French government is mounting a full-scale response to widespread flooding across western France, following 36 consecutive days of rainfall. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu will convene a crisis meeting this afternoon with ministers, professionals from key agencies, and regional prefects to coordinate relief efforts and assess the escalating damage.
The meeting, scheduled for 4:30 PM local time, will include participation from Laurent Nuñez (Interior), Monique Barbut (Transition Ecology, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations), Annie Genevard (Agriculture), Philippe Tabarot (Transports), and Mathieu Lefèvre (Transition Ecology). Representatives from Météo France, Enedis (the French electricity distribution network operator), the Civil Security service, Vigicrues (France’s flood forecasting service), and the prefects of Brittany, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and Nouvelle Aquitaine have also been invited, according to an official announcement.
The flooding, triggered by Storm Pedro and the prolonged period of heavy rain, has placed five departments – Loire-Atlantique, Gironde, Lot-et-Garonne, Charente-Maritime, and Maine-et-Loire – on red alert. Prime Minister Lecornu has pledged “total mobilization” and a swift response to provide compensation to those affected.
Angers is facing a particularly critical situation, with the Maine River threatening to exceed a water level of 6.12 meters. The mayor has warned that significant portions of the city are at risk of inundation, and authorities have begun removing electronic parking meters to minimize damage. In Charente-Maritime, more than 2,000 homes have already been impacted by floodwaters, and conditions are expected to worsen over the weekend.
The agricultural sector is also bracing for substantial losses, with crops submerged across the affected regions. The crisis has already sparked tensions between local and national government officials regarding funding for recovery and preventative measures.
While Storm Pedro is moving away, the immediate threat of flooding remains high. The government’s focus is now on managing the existing floodwaters, providing assistance to those displaced, and beginning to assess the full extent of the damage. The meeting at Matignon represents a concerted effort to streamline the response and ensure that resources are deployed effectively.
Sébastien Lecornu was reappointed as Prime Minister by President Emmanuel Macron in October 2025, after a brief resignation and subsequent negotiations with political parties. He previously served as Prime Minister, and has been a key figure in Macron’s administration. He was also meeting with Denmark’s President on January 29, 2026, according to reports.
This latest crisis comes after France experienced one of its longest stretches of continuous rainfall since the 1950s, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of the country to extreme weather events. The government faces mounting pressure to address both the immediate consequences of the flooding and the long-term challenges of climate change and disaster preparedness.
