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Storm Nils Kills Three, Cuts Power to Hundreds of Thousands as Iberia Faces New Flooding

Saturated catchments after weeks of Atlantic storms have primed the region for renewed river surges.

Flooded roads are seen as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, in Confolens, western France, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet)
A car drives through a flooded street of Saint-Germain de Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet)
Water sits along a flooded street in Saint-Germain de Confolens in western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet)
People walk in a flooded street of Confolens as severe flooding hits western France amid storm Nils, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet)

Overview

  • Officials reported three storm-related deaths across France and Spain as Nils swept the region with destructive winds and heavy rain.
  • France’s grid operator said about 900,000 customers lost electricity at the peak and that service had been restored to roughly half by early Friday, with flooding hindering repairs.
  • Spain’s weather agency issued red alerts for Galicia, Cantabria and the Basque Country, warning of waves up to nine metres along exposed coasts.
  • In Catalonia, winds topping 100 km/h injured 86 people and forced major transport interruptions, including 101 flight cancellations at Barcelona’s El Prat airport.
  • In Portugal, a burst Mondego levee led to a partial A1 viaduct collapse near Coimbra and around 3,000 precautionary evacuations, with repairs expected to take weeks and political pressure rising after the interior minister’s resignation.