One of Nostradamus’s predictions for 2026 is already being described as fulfilled—only months into the year.
As 2026 unfolds, followers of the famed 16th-century seer Nostradamus are pointing to recent global events as unsettling proof that his prophecies may be coming to life far sooner than expected.
Who was Nostradamus?
Michel de Nostredame, widely known as Nostradamus, was a French physician and astrologer who lived during the Renaissance. Born in 1503, he gained lasting fame with the publication of Les Prophéties in 1555.
The book contains 942 forecasts written in deliberately obscure verse, blending archaic French with cryptic Latin. This ambiguity has made his writings notoriously open to interpretation, yet believers argue that many of his predictions have uncannily aligned with real historical events.
Supporters claim his verses anticipated major moments such as the September 11 attacks, the death of Princess Diana, the atomic bombings of World War II, and more recently, the global COVID-19 pandemic.
What did Nostradamus predict for 2026?
Nostradamus is believed to have outlined four especially ominous visions for the year 2026.
The first describes a “great swarm of bees” emerging during a nighttime attack. Interpreters suggest this could symbolize powerful leaders achieving dominance—or possibly the spread of invasive species or coordinated forces.
The second prophecy speaks of rivers turning red with blood, specifically referencing the Swiss region of Ticino. Given Switzerland’s long-standing neutrality, this prediction has unsettled believers, suggesting that even historically peaceful regions may not be spared from violence.
The third, and most apocalyptic, involves the god Mars. Nostradamus wrote of blood staining sacred places, three fires rising in the East, and the West losing its light in silence. Some interpret this as a warning of large-scale global warfare; others see it as a metaphor for rapid technological or artificial intelligence advances in Eastern nations while Western powers decline.
The final prophecy foretells a “great man” being struck down suddenly by a thunderbolt in broad daylight—often interpreted as the unexpected death of a major public figure, such as a political leader, celebrity, or royal.
Which prophecy appears to have come true?
The prediction drawing the most attention so far is the one involving rivers running red with blood.
In Nostradamus’s verse about Ticino, he wrote in standard French that the region ‘will overflow with blood.’
While Switzerland itself has not yet experienced the bloodshed suggested by this prophecy, the broader theme of rivers turning crimson has materialized in a way that has captured global attention and sparked fears of biblical prophecies coming to pass.
Beyond blood imagery, Nostradamus is also believed to have predicted catastrophic flooding—an interpretation that aligns disturbingly well with recent extreme weather events.
This prediction appears to align disturbingly well with the recent devastation wrought by storms Ingrid and Chandra across the United Kingdom, per the BBC.
Storm Ingrid battered Devon and Cornwall in late January, with massive waves causing the collapse of sea walls next to the main railway line, washing away a historic Victorian pier in Teignmouth, and severely damaging homes in the beauty spot of Torcross, the Guardian reports.
Flood predictions and modern data
Adding to the concern, new research suggests that flooding risks are escalating dramatically worldwide.
Recent analysis by insurance broker Willis Towers Watson has revealed that flood losses in Southeast Asia may grow as much as tenfold in the coming years due to the rise of extreme weather events, per the Japan Times.
Their Natural Catastrophe Review 2026 report warns that major flood events could now cause economic losses exceeding $10 billion—far above the $1–2 billion typical in previous decades.
Recent history supports this warning. Last year ended with three tropical cyclones devastating regions from Sri Lanka to Indonesia, killing over 1,300 people and causing at least $20 billion in damage. Southeast Asian nations consistently rank among the most vulnerable to flooding, with countries such as the Philippines, Myanmar, and Vietnam particularly affected by climate change.
Scientists note that warming oceans are fueling stronger storms, and even slight temperature shifts can dramatically alter storm paths—making traditional forecasting models increasingly unreliable.
When water turned red
Perhaps the most visually striking fulfillment of Nostradamus’s prediction occurred in mid-December when the waters of Iran’s Hormuz Island turned a deep, blood-red color, per Metro.
Viral footage showed torrential rainfall washing over the island’s iron-rich soil, creating streams of red liquid that poured over cliffs and flowed into the Persian Gulf. The rainfall—around five times the region’s monthly average—produced scenes eerily reminiscent of biblical imagery.
Such visuals have long been associated with apocalyptic symbolism. In the Bible, the Nile turning to blood marked the first plague of Egypt, while the Book of Revelation describes seas turning red as signs of divine judgment.
Scientists explained the Hormuz phenomenon as a natural reaction between rainwater and iron oxide in the soil. However, the timing—just before the start of 2026—struck many observers as unsettling.
Hormuz Island, often called “Rainbow Island,” is known for its mineral-rich, multicolored terrain formed over millions of years. Red runoff during heavy rainfall is not unusual, but the intensity of this event captured global attention.
This was not an isolated occurrence. Earlier in the year, the Sea of Galilee in Israel also turned a vivid red due to an algae bloom that changed color under intense sunlight. While officials confirmed the event was harmless, repeated instances of red-colored waters across the Middle East have fueled speculation among Nostradamus believers that his predictions may already be unfolding.
Whether coincidence or prophecy, these events continue to reignite fascination—and fear—around Nostradamus’s centuries-old visions.