Severe Weather in Southern France: Over a Hundred Municipalities Declared Natural Disaster Zone
116 municipalities affected by floods and mudslides receive official recognition as natural disaster areas.
On May 19 and 20, severe thunderstorms and torrential rains struck the southern half of France, leading to significant flooding and mudslides.
In response to the devastation, an interministerial decree was published in the official journal, recognizing 116 municipalities as being in a state of natural disaster due to "floods and mudslides." The classification emphasizes that the intensity of the weather event was abnormal, with rainfall totals having a return period equals to or greater than ten years.
The municipalities recognized in this emergency designation include 16 from Haute-Garonne, 2 from Gers, 13 from Landes, 14 from Lot-et-Garonne, 12 from Tarn, 45 from Tarn-et-Garonne, and 14 from Var.
The Var department was notably affected, having reported the fatalities of three individuals near Lavandou due to the severe weather.
Residents in the affected municipalities are now granted a 30-day period starting from May 29 to report the extent of their damages and provide an estimated account of their losses to their insurance companies, unless they have already done so at the time of the disaster.
The decree assures that claims will be indemnified within 21 days of submission.
On Wednesday, the Minister of the Interior expressed satisfaction with the swift recognition process for the natural disaster status, stating that 116 applications received favorable responses, while 11 were deferred for further consideration.
Bruno Retailleau, a local official, confirmed that all municipalities in Var that submitted applications for disaster recognition were granted affirmations.
In response to the devastation, an interministerial decree was published in the official journal, recognizing 116 municipalities as being in a state of natural disaster due to "floods and mudslides." The classification emphasizes that the intensity of the weather event was abnormal, with rainfall totals having a return period equals to or greater than ten years.
The municipalities recognized in this emergency designation include 16 from Haute-Garonne, 2 from Gers, 13 from Landes, 14 from Lot-et-Garonne, 12 from Tarn, 45 from Tarn-et-Garonne, and 14 from Var.
The Var department was notably affected, having reported the fatalities of three individuals near Lavandou due to the severe weather.
Residents in the affected municipalities are now granted a 30-day period starting from May 29 to report the extent of their damages and provide an estimated account of their losses to their insurance companies, unless they have already done so at the time of the disaster.
The decree assures that claims will be indemnified within 21 days of submission.
On Wednesday, the Minister of the Interior expressed satisfaction with the swift recognition process for the natural disaster status, stating that 116 applications received favorable responses, while 11 were deferred for further consideration.
Bruno Retailleau, a local official, confirmed that all municipalities in Var that submitted applications for disaster recognition were granted affirmations.
