Natural Disaster in 17 departments

A STATE of natural disaster has been recognised in 17 departments in France, following the winter storms that caused widespread misery earlier this year.

The recognition of a natural disaster - or “catastrophe naturelle” - which was published in the Official Journal yesterday, allows victims to claim compensation for a natural disaster.

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.

France was hit by a ‘conveyor belt’ of freak winter storms in February, which caused flooding, mudslides, high seas, and destroyed coastline.

The order takes in Alpes-Maritimes, Cotes d'Armor, Finistère, Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Ille-et-Vilaine, Landes, Loir-et-Cher, Maine-et- Loire, Morbihan, Moselle, Orne, Pyrénées- Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, Var, and Réunion.

This latest order follows earlier natural disaster orders in Alpes-Maritimes and Brittany, which were made shortly after New Year.

Photo: Flooding in Quimperlé - Le Télégramme