Storm Nils Unleashes Fury Across France
Storm Nils impacted France between February 11 and February 13, 2026, bringing a cascade of severe weather events that resulted in one confirmed death, widespread power outages, and critical alerts across several departments. The storm, characterized by violent winds and torrential rainfall, caused significant disruption, particularly in the southern and southwestern regions of the country.
Fatalities and Power Outages Reported
Tragically, one person died as a direct consequence of Storm Nils. A lorry driver was killed in the Landes department near Dax when a tree branch fell onto his vehicle. The storm also plunged a vast number of homes into darkness, with initial reports indicating that approximately 850,000 households were without electricity. This figure later climbed to nearly 900,000 customers affected across France, primarily concentrated in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie regions. Power grid operator Enedis mobilized over 400 workers to address the extensive outages.
Rare Red Avalanche Alert in Savoie
In a rare and serious development, the department of Savoie in the French Alps was placed under a red avalanche alert. This marked only the third time in 25 years that this highest level of alert had been activated, and the second time in the Alps. The exceptional risk led to the closure of several ski resorts, including areas in La Plagne, Chamonix, Flaine, and Courchevel, with authorities strongly advising against off-piste skiing.
Widespread Disruption and Alerts
Storm Nils generated powerful winds, with gusts exceeding 180 km/h (112 mph) recorded in some areas, including Caixas. The storm's passage led to numerous other red and orange alerts across France for various hazards:
- Flooding: Red alerts were issued for departments like Gironde and Dordogne due to rising water levels in rivers such as the Garonne.
- High Winds: Departments including Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales faced red-tier warnings for violent winds.
- Travel: Rail services were heavily disrupted, with cancellations affecting trains from Paris to the southwest. Motorways, such as the A9, experienced temporary closures, and ferries to Corsica were halted.
- Education: Schools were closed in departments like Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales due to the severe weather conditions.
The storm, which made landfall along the Atlantic coast, moved southeast, impacting southern France before heading towards the Mediterranean and Corsica.
5 Comments
Muchacha
While these storms are devastating, we need to consider if their increased frequency and intensity are direct consequences of climate change, not just isolated events.
Bermudez
The immediate focus is on recovery and restoring services, which is paramount. However, we can't ignore the broader pattern of extreme weather events; this isn't just 'bad luck' anymore, it's a climate crisis unfolding.
Muchacho
One death is tragic, but are we doing enough to prevent these fatalities? Feels like a recurring issue.
Habibi
It's heartbreaking to hear about the loss of life and the widespread damage, but this also highlights the urgent need for better climate adaptation strategies, as these extreme weather events become more common.
ZmeeLove
A red avalanche alert, only the third in 25 years, is truly alarming. While alpine conditions are always variable, we must ask if climate warming is contributing to these rare, dangerous occurrences.