Western France continues to battle widespread flooding as rivers swell from persistent rainfall, with the cities of Angers and Saintes particularly affected. While conditions are improving slightly in the southwest, significant disruptions are expected to continue throughout the weekend, impacting travel, daily life, and even sporting events. The ongoing crisis highlights the increasing vulnerability of the region to extreme weather events, with officials linking the unprecedented rainfall to climate change.
The situation remains critical in several departments, including Maine-et-Loire, Charente-Maritime, and Loire-Atlantique, all currently under red alert – the highest level of warning. Angers, a city of 160,000 residents, is grappling with rising water levels that have forced the closure of numerous streets and the installation of footbridges to allow passage. The disruption to transportation is significant, with tram and vehicle traffic severely impacted.
Residents are facing increasingly challenging conditions. Eric Clouet, a local resident, described the rapid escalation of the flooding to AFP, stating, “We came yesterday, but today it’s completely different. It’s impressive and you wonder where it will stop.” Mayor Christophe Béchu expressed concern that the situation won’t improve for at least another week, as water levels continue to rise.
Further north of Angers, in Cheffes (Maine-et-Loire), authorities issued an evacuation order on Friday, February 20th, for the village, which is increasingly surrounded by the rising waters of the Sarthe river. Firefighters and gendarmes are using boats to transport residents to safety. Christine Goguet, an evacuee, recounted to AFP how quickly the situation deteriorated, saying, “When we left yesterday at noon, it was still dry. But we didn’t hesitate. And now, it’s really huge.” She added, “It’s the first time in 23 years I’ve seen this,” despite returning with her husband to retrieve some belongings.
Evacuations and Disruptions Mount
In Loire-Atlantique, emergency services have responded to 152 incidents, and 13 departmental roads are closed, according to the prefecture. The impact extends beyond immediate safety concerns. The scheduled Angers-Lille football match on Sunday has been moved to a closed-door event due to the flooding. Restaurants along the riverbanks have been continuously pumping water from their basements since Thursday in an attempt to mitigate damage.
The economic impact is also becoming apparent. Economy Minister Roland Lescure has urged insurance companies to mobilize and expedite claims processing for those affected by the recent storms, and floods. The region has experienced 37 consecutive days of rainfall, marking the longest period of precipitation since records began in 1959.
Residents navigate flooded streets in Angers on February 20, 2026. (AFP/VNA/CVN)
Widespread Impact Across Western France
While conditions are improving in Gironde, which has been downgraded to orange alert, the prefecture warns that the water levels will recede slowly. Approximately 11,700 people are without telephone service, and 2,500 are experiencing power outages. Water distribution points have been established in Langon, 50 km south of Bordeaux, following leaks in the potable water network caused by the overflowing Garonne river.
In Saintes (Charente-Maritime), 10 kilometers of boardwalks have been deployed to facilitate movement through streets inundated by the Charente river since Tuesday. A total of 1,380 homes are currently flooded, according to the municipality. Mayor Éric Pannaud of Chaniers, a town near Saintes also affected by the flooding, emphasized the long road to recovery, stating, “It will be a long time before people can return to their homes. Those staying with family or friends are managing, but for some, there is already significant financial strain.”
Adrien, a 45-year-ancient resident, has been staying in a hotel with his 14-year-old daughter, Amaïa, since Wednesday. “We’re booked until Sunday… We’re not the worst off, but it’s complicated to eat because we don’t have a stove or refrigerator. We buy ready-made meals, but it’s expensive,” he told AFP.
Looking Ahead
Despite a forecast for calmer weather in the coming days, Vigicrues warns that major flooding is still ongoing or expected within the next 24 hours. The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring river levels. The focus now shifts to providing support to affected communities and assessing the full extent of the damage. The long-term implications of this prolonged period of heavy rainfall and the potential link to climate change will undoubtedly be a subject of ongoing discussion and investigation.
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