Thousands of residents in western France faced rapidly rising floodwaters on Friday, February 20, 2026, prompting large-scale evacuations, the submersion of homes and infrastructure, and the activation of the highest-level red flood warnings in several departments. The crisis, driven by persistent high river levels following heavy rainfall from Storm Pedro earlier in the week, has placed significant strain on emergency services and local authorities.
France’s national flood monitoring service Vigicrues maintained red flood alerts—the most severe level—for three departments: Loire-Atlantique, Maine-et-Loire, and Charente-Maritime. An additional 14 departments remained under orange alert, indicating serious danger to people and property. Vigicrues warned that “the ongoing floods will continue to spread” even as rainfall has eased, because water already in the river systems is propagating downstream and river levels are still rising in many areas.
The most critical situation was reported in the small town of Cheffes-sur-Sarthe in Maine-et-Loire, a community of around 1,000 inhabitants located along the Sarthe River. Local authorities ordered the full evacuation of the town after the river reached 6.63 meters (21.7 feet) early Friday morning—well above the severe flood threshold. Forecasters from Météo-France and Vigicrues projected further rises through the weekend, with peaks possibly exceeding previous records in some gauges.
In the nearby city of Angers (Maine-et-Loire), the Maine River (formed by the confluence of the Sarthe and Mayenne rivers) continued to climb, gaining approximately 15 centimeters over the previous 24 hours and surpassing earlier projections. Several neighborhoods in the city center were reported underwater, with water entering ground-floor residences, shops, and public buildings. Residents in low-lying districts were urged to move to higher ground, and schools in affected zones were closed as a precaution.
Emergency services deployed boats and high-water vehicles to conduct door-to-door checks and assist vulnerable residents. The French Red Cross and civil protection units established temporary shelters in sports halls and community centers to accommodate those displaced. Authorities emphasized that while no fatalities had been reported as of Friday afternoon, the risk of drowning, structural collapse, and isolation remained high in the hardest-hit areas.
The flooding stems from Storm Pedro, a powerful Atlantic low-pressure system that brought torrential rain to large parts of western and central France between Monday and Wednesday. Some areas recorded more than 100 mm of rain in 48 hours—equivalent to more than a month’s average precipitation—saturating soils and overwhelming river catchments.
Although Pedro has moved eastward and rainfall has significantly diminished, the delayed hydrological response means river levels will remain elevated for several days. Vigicrues explained that “the peak is propagating downstream,” with communities farther along the Loire, Sarthe, Mayenne, and their tributaries still facing worsening conditions even under calmer skies.
Elsewhere in France, weather-related alerts shifted focus:
- The orange alert for strong winds was lifted early Friday in southern departments including Pyrénées-Orientales and Aude, where gusts had reached 147 km/h in Leucate on Thursday.
- Four Alpine departments—Isère, Haute-Savoie, Savoie, and Hautes-Alpes—remained on orange avalanche alert due to heavy snowfall at higher elevations combined with strong winds, increasing the risk of slab avalanches.
The French government activated its national crisis cell (Cellule Interministérielle de Crise) to coordinate response efforts. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin visited the flood zone in Maine-et-Loire on Friday afternoon, meeting with prefects, mayors, and emergency responders. He assured residents that “all necessary resources—personnel, equipment, and financial support—will be mobilized to protect lives and property.”
The flooding has already caused widespread disruption:
- Numerous roads and rail lines are closed or impassable.
- Several bridges have been closed to traffic for safety reasons.
- Power outages have affected thousands of households.
- Agricultural land along river valleys is submerged, threatening winter crops and livestock.
Meteorologists warn that while the immediate rain threat has subsided, the combination of saturated ground, snowmelt in upstream areas, and high tides along the Atlantic coast could prolong high-water levels well into next week.
Residents in at-risk zones have been urged to follow official advice: avoid unnecessary travel, stay informed via local authorities and Météo-France updates, and prepare emergency kits with essential supplies. The government has activated the national flood information portal (Vigicrues.gouv.fr) and local alert systems to provide real-time updates.
Environmental groups and climate scientists have noted that the intensity and frequency of such extreme rainfall events in western Europe are consistent with projections linked to climate change, underscoring the need for long-term adaptation measures including improved flood defenses, urban planning reforms, and nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration.
As emergency crews continue sandbagging, pumping operations, and rescue patrols, the people of western France face several more days of uncertainty. The coming weekend will be critical in determining whether river levels begin to recede or if further rises force additional evacuations.
French authorities have reiterated their call for vigilance and solidarity, with President Emmanuel Macron expected to address the nation on the crisis in the coming days.
