Interior Minister Laurent Nunez stated that close to 270 new municipalities in western France have filed requests for recognition as natural disasters due to severe flooding. This recent weather event has prompted these municipalities, spread across 16 departments, to seek official acknowledgment and assistance from the government in addressing the aftermath of the flooding.

The requests will be processed in a ministerial commission scheduled for March 3 and 10. During his visit to Angers and Cheffes, which were heavily affected by the floods, Nunez highlighted the urgency of the situation and the need for support in disaster recovery. The government has already recognized 294 municipalities as in a state of natural disaster, showing the widespread impact of the flooding across this region.

The flooding has raised concerns about the vulnerability of these municipalities to extreme weather and the need for improved infrastructure and preparedness measures. With significant impacts on communities and local economies, the government’s recognition of these areas as disaster-affected could facilitate aid and resources to rebuild and prevent future incidents.