© Gartenbau-Versicherung
South-west and western France are still grappling with the aftermath of Storm "Nils". On 12 February 2026, the storm swept across the country with gusts exceeding 150 km/h in some areas, accompanied by intense rainfall and widespread flooding. The extreme weather left significant damage in its wake, affecting numerous horticultural businesses. In response, Hortisecur immediately reinforced its field teams to provide the best possible support to its policyholders.
Photo: Storm "Nils" and the flooding that followed caused major damage in south-west and western France. The image shows the impact of the floods on a horticultural farm in the Lot-et-Garonne department.
Faced with widespread destruction across large parts of the country, the specialist horticultural insurer and its French policyholders are confronting major challenges.
"We were on site as quickly as possible and have mobilised additional staff in the affected areas. However, it will still take time before all the damage can be repaired and fully compensated. We would like to thank our teams on the ground as well as the repair companies, who are even working weekends to assess the damage and start repairs wherever possible," explains Alexandre Druhen, Market Manager for France.
However, the extensive damage to infrastructure in the affected regions has led to shortages of materials in certain sectors. In addition, normal transport routes remain partially disrupted.
"We are not yet able to provide precise figures, but the scale of the damage is considerable," adds Alexandre Druhen.
Hortisecur's top priority is to assist the affected farms as quickly as possible, despite the difficulties, by compensating for the damage and supporting businesses in rebuilding their operations. Advance payments are also being made to ensure that farms can continue to operate and maintain their activities.
"We feel a strong sense of solidarity with our French members," says Christian Senft, Chairman of the Board of Gartenbau-Versicherung. "We will do everything in our power to help them through this difficult period. Our teams are on the ground and working closely with the farms to ensure they receive the support they urgently need."
For more information:
en.gartenbau-versicherung.de
