France and Spain are grappling with the catastrophic effects of Storm Pedro, which swept over the continent following an unprecedented, 35-day streak of continuous rainfall. The most severe situation is in southwestern France and Spain's Galicia region, where rivers have exceeded alarm levels. Authorities have ordered evacuations, and rescue services are searching for at least one person missing in the swollen currents of the Loire. The situation is worsened by violent winds and high tides.
Historic Rainfall Record
France recorded 35 consecutive days of rainfall, the longest streak since measurements began in 1959.
Red Flood Alerts
Four French departments are under the highest alert level due to dramatic flooding of the Garonne and Loire rivers.
Transport Paralysis
Storm Pedro caused the suspension of train services on routes to Bayonne and Toulouse and power cuts for 2,700 households.
France has recorded its rainiest period since measurements began in 1959. For 35 consecutive days, atmospheric fronts passed over the country, completely saturating the soil and preventing the absorption of further rainfall. The culmination of this phenomenon was Storm Pedro, which struck the western coasts of Europe on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The highest, red-level flood alert was declared in four departments: Maine-et-Loire, Charente-Maritime, Gironde, and Lot-et-Garonne. In Bordeaux, the Garonne River overflowed its banks, flooding the quayside boulevards and forcing the activation of emergency civil protection plans. Rescue services are conducting intensive searches for a man swept away by the current of the Loire River. Modern flood protection systems in Aquitaine are based on lessons from the great flood of 1999, when Cyclone Lothar caused massive material damage and necessitated the reconstruction of urban drainage systems. An equally dramatic situation prevails in northern Spain, where the swollen waters of the Miño River threaten dozens of towns in Galicia and the Castile and León region. Avalanche alerts have been declared in the Spanish mountains, and coastal winds are reaching speeds of 130 km/h. Rail transport in the southwestern part of the continent has been almost completely paralyzed; connections between Toulouse and Narbonne and around Bayonne have been canceled. The situation is complicated by the phenomenon of ground degradation due to intense surface runoff. However, meteorologists from Météo-France predict that a gradual improvement in weather conditions will begin on Friday, although high river water levels will persist for many more days. 1959: 31, 2023: 32, 2026: 35 „I promise the full mobilization of state services and the payment of compensation to flood victims as soon as possible.” — Sébastien Lecornu The flood risk is exacerbated by tidal surges at the mouths of major rivers flowing into the ocean. The combination of downpours, strong westerly winds, and a high tidal coefficient creates extreme risk for residents of low-lying areas. Local authorities in Bordeaux have opened two special shelter points for those most threatened by flooding. 35 days — duration of the record-breaking rainfall streak in France
Mentioned People
- Sébastien Lecornu — French Minister of Defence, who declared full support for the victims of the catastrophe.