Natural disaster will be declared

AN OFFICIAL announcement of a “state of natural disaster” is imminent in Brittany.

Following the recent flooding, official government spokeswoman Najat Vallaud-Belkacem said today un état de catastrophe naturelle will be declared as soon as possible, adding that “the government will be supporting Brittany in facing up to these bad weather conditions”.

Most home insurance policies include cover for natural disasters but insurers only pay out once a natural disaster has been declared by ministerial decree. Anyone affected has 10 days to make an insurance claim from the date of the decree (see February's Connexion for more on this).

The red alert in Finistère has now been lowered to orange again, as flooding has started to subside, but inhabitants in Quimperlé, the town worst affected, are watching with concern to see the impact of tonight’s high tide.

Furthermore, more heavy rain is expected this weekend, with experts saying the area in the Laïta river basin remains the most at risk. Authorities fear the rivers Oust, Blavet and Vilaine could also be in danger of breaking their banks.

Locals in Quimperlé have spoken of their anger at the flooding, saying nothing was done after bad flooding in 2000 to stop rising waters further upstream of the town.

Anyone planning to use cross-Channel ferries should contact their company. Brittany Ferries has already cancelled some Plymouth-Roscoff crossings and today's 18.30 Cherbourg-Poole service has been put back to 20.30. The Portsmouth-Caen sailing on Monday is being diverted to Cherbourg due to port maintenance.

Photo: Flooding in Quimperlé - Le Télégramme