Natural disaster recognition in process for flooding in west France – what does it change for impacted homeowners?
Interior minister begins accelerated process for zone declaration
Brittany and surrounding areas were affected by heavy flooding in January
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Communes in the west of France affected by flooding during recent storms will benefit from an accelerated process to be declared as natural disaster (catastrophe naturelle) zones.
“All the municipalities affected – the regional prefect has already identified more than 20 – will be able to access this system,” said Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau during a visit to the area.
Areas of Brittany and parts of the Pays de la Loire saw near-historic flooding following the passages of Storms Eowyn, Herminia, and Ivo in recent weeks.
The minister also announced that specialist pumping equipment capable of removing an Olympic-sized swimming pool worth of water per hour had been deployed in the area to help reduce water levels.
Accelerated process
“I asked for the first meeting to take applications to be held on Thursday [February 6],” the minister said, quoted in Ouest-France.
“We wanted these deadlines to be compressed as much as possible so that solidarity could be present as quickly as possible in terms of insurance and compensation,” he added.
The usual process for a commune to be declared a natural disaster zone sees mairies apply following a natural weather event such as flooding, storms, or drought.
Government-appointed assessors then visit the commune to verify the damage, and if deemed severe enough, it will be listed in the Journal Official as a catastrophe naturelle.
It can take months for communes to be declared as such following a natural disaster, however during particularly damaging events government authorities can bypass certain requirements to declare communes as affected more quickly.
This happened for example during the flooding in the north of France at the start of 2024.
Read more: Natural disaster declared in hundreds of communes in north of France
Declaration required for compensation claims
Once communes have been declared as natural disaster zones, homeowners affected by the issue have up to 30 days to file a claim with their insurer, if their property has been damaged.
This used to be 10 days but recent changes extended the process. There are no extensions for second-home owners, however.
Claims processes can be started via email or over the phone, but it is recommended to send a physical letter via a lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception (registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt) to prove you sent the claim.
You should include proof of the damage to your property.
Compensation should be received within three months of the claim being received. More information on how to claim can be found in the article below.
Read more: France’s ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance system: how to claim
