top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon

France forecasts natural disaster after hailstorms

Agriculture Minister says catastrophe naturelle will be declared 'in a day or two' after violent hailstorms batter southeast of the country

A natural disaster will be declared in parts of southeast France, following devastating rain and hail storms on Saturday that devastated crops in the region.

The flash storms, which brought brief but violent storms that saw hailstones as big as golf balls in parts of the Drôme and Isère departments of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, killed one person in the region as well as another over the border in Switzerland, and injured 10 others.

Agriculture Minister Didier Guillaume told French television: “Everything will be done to help. A state of natural disaster will be declared. “The goal is that no farmers will have to shut down business.”

He added that many had lost 80-100% of their crops and said that a catastrophe naturelle would be declared in “a day or two”, once the full extent of the damage was known.

Firefighters were called out more than 400 times in the Drôme alone, while, in the Haute-Savoie, a 51-year-old tourist from Germany was killed by a falling tree. 

The storms were documented on social media

Weather experts have warned that climate change means that extreme weather events like this are increasingly likely, and while some crops can be protected with enough notice, severe damage similar to that which has affected farmers in the region will become more common.

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Healthcare in France*
Featured Help Guide
- Understand the French healthcare system, how you access it and how you are reimbursed - Useful if you are new to the French healthcare system or want a more in-depth understanding - Reader question and answer section Aimed at non-French nationals living here, the guide gives an overview of what you are (and are not) covered for. There is also information for second-home owners and regular visitors.
Get news, views and information from France