-
French ski resorts report excellent Christmas despite less snow than last year
Bookings are up and non-snow related activities are also on the rise
-
American celebrity jeweller robbed of ‘more than €1m’ at French Riviera Airbnb
Jewellery and cash stolen from rental property where Chris Aire was staying
-
New 2026 civic tests in France: 50 example questions in French
Candidates must score 80% on tests to pass
France recognises catastrophe naturelle across 163 communes nationwide
The official decrees come after severe storms hit in September. They enable people in the communes listed to claim on insurance for damage
France has recognised a state of natural catastrophe (‘catastrophe naturelle’) in 163 communes as a result of widespread storm damage between October 2019 and September 2022.
A decree dated September 19 in the Journal Officiel recognises a state of natural disaster in 128 communes across 39 departments, as a result of the storms that occurred in this time period.
Another, from September 20, recognises the state in 35 further communes across 12 departments. This decree came into effect in response to the damage caused by severe drought and soil rehydration between July 2019 and December 2021.
Advertisment
Each acknowledges that damage had been caused by flooding, mudslides and ground movement, as well as wind, partly due to effects linked to the ongoing drought and rehydration of soils.
A state of natural catastrophe (catastrophe naturelle) is an official status, in place since 1982, whereby the state recognises damage caused by natural phenomena (drought, violent storms, flooding, mudslides, avalanches, or earthquakes). It is sometimes colloquially shortened to ‘cat nat’.
Declaring it officially means that insurance company claims can be submitted under this clause, enabling those with damage to be reimbursed more easily.
If you wish to claim for damage under the status, you have 10 days from the declaration of the status to declare it to your insurance company.
Read more: France’s ‘catastrophe naturelle’ insurance system: how to claim
Departments covered include: Bouches-du Rhône, Cantal, Finistère, Gard, Gers, Gironde, Haute-Garonne, Ille-et-Villaine, Indre-et-Loire, Loire, Somme, Var, and many more.
A full list of the departments recognised as part of the decrees can be seen on the service-public.fr website.
These latest decrees come after the ‘catastrophe naturelle’ state was declared in June this year, after mudslides and heavy hail caused extensive damage in the Dordogne area (however, hail damage specifically is not covered by catastrophe naturelle clauses, but by separate household insurance).
Related articles
June flooding and mudslides recognised as natural disasters in France
Vehicles, homes: claiming compensation for weather damage in France
