Map: See how February rainfall compares to average in your French department

Almost all of France experienced an unseasonably wet February, with 91 departments reporting above-average levels of rainfall.

Out of these, 32 departments showed ‘extremely high’ levels of rainfall, reports drought information service info-secheresse. 

These were mostly in the south-west, Brittany, and between Nantes and Paris.

In several of these departments, severe flooding occurred due to rainfall.

Only the Ardennes department saw normal levels (data is not available in Paris and its three surrounding suburbs). 

Despite the intense rainfall, it remains unclear how this has impacted France’s water reserves. 

Winter and spring rainfall generally replenishes underground reservoirs – however, the intense and ongoing rainfall this year quickly waterlogged soils, preventing rainwater from seeping underground.

Recordings later into spring are expected to provide more clarity on the matter. 

State forecaster Météo France said the recent period was one of the 10 wettest in recorded history.

This February is the wettest on record (since 1959), with more than twice the usual rainfall across France on average.

In several areas rainfall records were broken, with the equivalent of an entire winter's worth of rainfall (December-end of February) or more falling since January 1.

This includes: 

• Quimper (Finistère), 588mm (for December-February average: 412mm)

• Bordeaux (Gironde), 321mm (for 260 mm)

• Toulouse (Haute-Garonne), 203mm (for 139 mm)