The French Minister of Territorial Cohesion, Sébastien Lecornu, announced the classification of 294 municipalities as being in a state of natural disaster following severe flooding that has affected western France over the past two weeks. This declaration will help towns access funding and resources to cope with the aftermath of the floods. The government is committed to supporting mayors and residents impacted by these natural disasters, as stated in Lecornu's message on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Among the affected municipalities, the highest numbers are reported in Lot-et-Garonne (63), Maine-et-Loire (77), and Gironde (91). Lecornu emphasized the government's ongoing engagement and assistance to local officials and communities as they deal with the crisis. Additionally, 77 applications for municipalities that were not immediately approved will be re-evaluated in March, allowing communities more time to submit necessary documentation for disaster aid.

This classification as a natural disaster facilitates access to funding that could be vital for recovery efforts, particularly in the agriculture sector, which often suffers significant damage from flooding events. The government's swift response emphasizes the urgency of the situation and highlights the necessity of cooperation between local and national authorities to support affected populations effectively.