The French government has announced that following severe river flooding in February 2026, 270 new municipalities have submitted applications to be declared disaster areas. Although water levels have begun to recede in many regions, an orange weather alert remains in place for the departments of Charente, Charente-Maritime, and Maine-et-Loire. Damage assessments are ongoing, and residents of towns such as Saintes and Cheffes-sur-Sarthe are grappling with the dramatic consequences of historic flooding.

Massive municipal applications

270 French municipalities are applying for official recognition as zones affected by a natural disaster.

Weather alert continues

Three departments remain under an orange weather alert due to persistently high water levels.

Historic river levels

Record water levels were recorded in towns such as Cheffes-sur-Sarthe, disrupting residents' lives.

The hydrological situation in France remains tense, despite a slow decline in water levels being observed in parts of the country. Laurent Nuñez, serving as the Minister of the Interior, announced that 270 new declarations from municipalities affected by the February floods have been submitted to the administration. Recognition of a natural disaster status is a crucial step for local communities, as it opens the door to simplified compensation procedures and financial support from the state. In the Charente river basin, the water recession process may take many more days. In Saintes, the city center has become almost inaccessible, forcing local businesses to suspend operations and begin cleaning flooded warehouses. Simultaneously, residents have mobilized to rescue lost pets that lost their shelter due to the catastrophe. A similar situation prevails in the Maine-et-Loire department, where historic flooding of the Sarthe river forced the evacuation of some residents of Cheffes-sur-Sarthe. Local authorities emphasize that while life is slowly returning to normal, restoring full infrastructure functionality will take weeks. France regularly contends with floods in the Loire and Charente river basins, but the intensification of these phenomena in recent years is attributed to climate change and increased frequency of heavy winter rainfall. Météo-France has maintained an orange alert for three departments, warning of the possibility of local ground flooding due to saturated soil. Civil services are urging caution, especially near riverbanks where currents remain treacherous. The reduction in the number of departments under the highest warnings from four to three indicates gradual stabilization; however, the economic toll of this winter for the insurance sector is expected to be exceptionally heavy. „Après les crues et inondations de février, 270 nouvelles communes ont demandé l'état de catastrophe naturelle.” (Following the floods and inundations of February, 270 new municipalities have requested the state of natural disaster.) — Laurent Nuñez

Mentioned People

  • Laurent Nuñez — Minister of the Interior announcing data on municipal applications