Storm Pedro hits south-west France: trees uprooted and red flood alerts remain
Emergency plans activated in Bordeaux amid flood fears
The Garonne river runs through Bordeaux and is at risk of flooding parts of the city. Inset photo shows recent historic flooding from Storm Nils and Pedro
Joan Vadell/Shutterstock/X/Le Parisien
Widespread damage has been recorded in south-west France after Storm Pedro passed through overnight.
Trees were uprooted and branches felled amid powerful winds of 100 km/h and more in the Dordogne, leaving several roads blocked. Power cables have been brought down.
In Rochefort (Charente-Maritime) uprooted trees fell on parked cars, and gales of over 130 km/h were recorded along the coastal areas of Île d'Oléron.
Local authorities in Bordeaux have enacted emergency plans in part of the city due to the risk of the Garonne flooding.
It is the first time since 1999 that emergency plans have been activated due to potential flooding, and there is a risk the river may surpass historic levels seen (7.05 metres) before the turn of the century.
Markets and other activities along the riverbanks of the Garonne have been cancelled due to the emergency plan, as have parks, gardens, daycare and recreation centres.
Authorities have also opened a shelter for homeless people who usually stay close to the riverbank, alongside two gymnasiums for all city residents impacted.
As of 08:00 today, no serious injuries or fatalities have been reported linked to the storm.
However, conditions are far from over.
Alerts for strong coastal waves and powerful gales remain along the Atlantic coast and western Mediterranean today, with the effects of Storm Pedro lasting well into the afternoon.
Trains on the Narbonne-Toulouse and Carcassonne-Limoux lines will be cancelled from 10:00 on Thursday to at least the end of the day, and several other lines in the south-west will see trains run at reduced speeds in light of Storm Pedro.
Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot warned of disruption for drivers, "most likely on the A9, A61, and A62 motorways," this morning, and called for all travellers (both on roads and public transport) to exercise caution.
Persistent rain is also expected in many areas, leading to significant downpours in parts of Brittany and the south-west.
Waves could reach up to nine metres along parts of the Atlantic coast, and 50mm of rain is expected in Brittany.
Widespread flood damage
Four departments remain on the highest possible red alert for flooding – Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne (Garonne) Charente-Maritime (Charente) and Maine-et-Loire (Loire, Loir, Sarthe, and Mayenne) rivers.
In addition, 15 other departments in the west have been put on a heightened tier-three orange alert for river flooding from a number of waterways – you can check the status of rivers near you using the official Vigicrues website.
The arrival of Storm Pedro off the back of Storm Nils – itself coming after weeks of sustained rainfall – has brought renewed risks of flooding to much of the south-west.
Soils are waterlogged and unable to take in more water, leaving water to accumulate, particularly along rivers.
As a steady level of rain continues to fall, rivers remain at dangerously high levels for days on end, hence red alert warnings being in place for some rivers since the start of the week.
The photos below show some of the worst flooding in the impacted areas.
Authorities have confirmed that natural disaster (catastrophe naturelle) status will be given to communes affected by flooding since the start of the year.
However, confirmation will be put on hold until the current flood risks subside.
