France: state of natural disaster recognised for 198 municipalities in 36 departments

The state of natural disaster has been recognised in 198 municipalities in 36 departments, according to a decree dated 03/04/2026 published in the French Official Journal on 14/04.

According to the data analysed by News Tank, the damage was caused by :
• differential ground movements resulting from drought and soil rehydration in 125 cases;
• flooding and mudflows in 68 cases;
• ground movements (excluding geotechnical drought) in 3 communes;
• flooding due to rising groundwater tables in 2 cases;
• and flooding due to the mechanical impact of waves in Loctudy in Finistère.

The municipality of Taugon in Charente-Maritime is the only one affected by two phenomena: differential ground movements as a result of drought and soil rehydration, and flooding and mudslides.

The Gironde department is the most affected overall, with 26 municipalities affected. It is followed by the departments of the Nord (20), Cher (17), Charente-Maritime (15), Indre (36) and Pas-de-Calais (13).

The decree also states that requests for recognition of the state of natural disaster have been rejected for 604…