Storm Nils Leaves 450,000 Homes Without Power in France

As parts of southwestern France begin assessing the damage from Storm Nils, more than 450,000 homes remain without electricity this Friday, February 13. The fierce winter storm has been described by Enedis, France’s electricity operator, as “of historic proportions.”

Widespread Damage and Deadly Consequences

Storm Nils swept through Thursday night and early Friday, bringing hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and record-breaking gusts that topped 160 km/h (nearly 100 mph) on the Atlantic coast.

Sadly, authorities have confirmed two fatalities so far:

A 55-year-old truck driver killed in the Landes after a falling branch struck his vehicle.
A man in Tarn-et-Garonne who fell from a ladder while securing his property.

Officials also report several serious injuries and widespread property damage, from uprooted trees to collapsed roofs and power lines.

A Massive National Response

Faced with a nationwide emergency, Enedis has launched a major mobilization effort through its Rapid Electricity Intervention Force (FIRE).

Emergency Resources Deployed

Over 3,000 responders, including 2,100 field technicians
360 backup generators sent to affected areas
10 helicopters surveying broken lines and damaged infrastructure

At the peak of the chaos, nearly 900,000 customers were without electricity. Repairs have restored power to roughly half, though New Aquitaine and Occitanie remain the hardest hit.

New Aquitaine: around 292,000 homes still cut off
Occitanie: about 153,000 without power

“This was an exceptional storm, exceeding even the most reliable forecasts,”
said Hervé Champenois, Enedis crisis director, in a video statement shared by AFP.

Fresh Threat: Flooding Along the Garonne

Even as winds ease, a new danger is emerging — major flooding along the Garonne River.

Flood Warnings Remain in Place

The departments of Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne remain on red alert for river flooding through Saturday.
Meteorological service Vigicrues warns of dangerous conditions downstream from Agen, with water levels rising fast.
Flooding in La Réole could reach levels similar to those seen during the devastating floods of February 2021.

What to Expect

Residents in low-lying areas are urged to:

Stay informed via local alerts and weather updates.
Avoid flooded roads and riverbanks.
Prepare emergency kits with essentials in case of evacuation.

A Storm That Will Shape Future Preparedness

Storm Nils has again highlighted France’s vulnerability to extreme weather, a situation climate experts say could become more frequent as global temperatures rise.

Authorities are calling for greater infrastructure resilience, including better reinforcement of power lines and flood defenses, especially in high-risk zones across the southwest.

For now, the priority remains restoring power, keeping residents safe, and monitoring the Garonne flood threat through the weekend.