112 communes in France recognised as natural disaster zones after flooding
The status was confirmed after Rennes had its ‘rainiest month since 1945’
Heavy rainfall and flooding is one of the reasons that a catastrophe naturelle can be declared
Diane Edorh/Shutterstock
More than 100 communes in western France, including in the city of Rennes, have been declared ‘natural disaster’ status after three winter storms caused severe flooding in January.
A state of catastrophe naturelle has been declared for 112 communes in the area, states a decree published on February 10 in the Journal Officiel.
The measure applies to:
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on X (Twitter) that “125 cases have been examined” and “the state of natural disaster has been recognised for 112 municipalities…The remaining 13 [of the 125] will be reassessed shortly, based on additional expert assessments”.
Read also: Natural disaster recognition in process for flooding in west France – what does it change for impacted homeowners?
The cost of the damage caused by three successive storms in the Brittany area - particularly in Ille-et-Vilaine - has been estimated at €130-€160 million, said the Caisse Centrale de Réassurance on February 6.
Areas of Brittany and parts of the Pays de la Loire saw near-record levels of flooding following Storms Eowyn, Herminia, and Ivo in recent weeks.
Météo France said that January in Rennes was the rainiest month in the area since 1945.
The situation was so bad that Mr Retailleau confirmed that specialist pumping equipment capable of removing an Olympic-sized swimming pool’s worth of water per hour had been deployed in the area to help reduce water levels.
What does a catastrophe naturelle declaration mean?
France has a system in which compensation to cover the costs incurred by a natural disaster is paid from a special fund, paid into by insurance companies and the government.
In order for your insurance company to compensate you for this type of claim the government has to officially declare a natural disaster has taken place in the commune where you live.
The usual process for a commune to be declared a natural disaster zone requires mairies to 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 Officiel as a catastrophe naturelle.
Once the order has been published in the Journal Officiel, you have to file a claim with your insurer within 30 days.
The assurance catastrophe naturelle is an insurance that allows you to be compensated for damage caused by natural disasters (earthquake, flood, drought, landslide, etc.).
It relates mainly to damage to property.
Natural disaster insurance is included in all multi-risk home insurance policies (assurance multirisques habitation), which the vast majority of homeowners in France have.
Making a claim
Once a natural disaster is declared for your area, you will have 30 days to make a claim on your insurance.
You can make a claim by phone, email or text, whichever method is easier. However, you should also confirm the claim with the insurance company by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt (lettre recommandée avec accusé de réception).
You should be compensated within three months of your claim.
Read more: France’s ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance system: how to claim
What if I have a second home?
There is no extension of the deadline for second-home owners, but some second-home insurance policies will allow for an expert to visit your property and assess the damage if you were absent when the natural disaster occurred.
