Three dead, many without power after storm lashes France and Spain

Storm Nils Brings Devastation to Southern France and Northern Spain

A powerful storm named Nils brought widespread destruction to southern France, northern Spain, and parts of Portugal on Thursday, February 12, 2026, leaving a trail of death, displacement, and disruption in its wake. The tempest claimed three lives: a woman in Spain who died when a collapsing warehouse roof fell on her, a truck driver in France who was struck by a falling tree, and another person in France who fell from a ladder.

The full force of Nils was felt across the affected regions, with high winds and heavy rain causing flight, train, and ferry cancellations, road chaos, flooding, and power outages that plunged nearly 900,000 customers into darkness. The partial viaduct collapse in Portugal sent shockwaves through the Iberian Peninsula.

French officials described Nils as unusually strong, complicating repairs due to waterlogged fields and blocked roads. While French authorities have mobilized emergency response teams to assist with relief efforts, the storm's severity has highlighted the region's vulnerability to extreme weather events. Climate change has been linked to an increase in such global phenomenon, underscoring the need for urgent action to mitigate its impacts.

The storm is part of a larger pattern of extreme weather events affecting Europe in recent years, which have exposed weaknesses in regional preparedness and response mechanisms. The French government's decision to activate emergency protocols demonstrates a growing recognition of the need for collective resilience in the face of this existential threat.

As France begins the process of recovery from Nils, it serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of the Iberian Peninsula's economies and societies. Portugal, which is heavily reliant on Spain for trade and investment, is particularly concerned about the partial viaduct collapse, which poses significant risks to its economic stability.

In the aftermath of Nils, one thing is clear: the region will require sustained support and solidarity to rebuild and recover from this devastating blow. Global leaders must prioritize regional cooperation and collective action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build more resilient communities for generations to come.