Western France was hit by severe flooding after 35 consecutive days of rain, the longest rainy streak since records began in 1959, according to Meteo-France.
Four departments were placed on red alert and nine on orange as Storm Pedro approached.
Streets and hundreds of homes were flooded in towns including Saintes and Bordeaux, where emergency plans were activated.
Authorities also said one man went missing after his canoe capsized on the Loire River. Officials warned the flood peak was still to come.
