French Government Declares 294 Communes as Natural Disaster Zones Amid February Floods

The French government has officially recognized 294 communes as being in a state of natural disaster following severe flooding across western France in February 2026. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that 63 communes in Lot-et-Garonne, 77 in Maine-et-Loire, and 91 in Gironde have been affected. Additionally, 77 applications for disaster status are pending further documentation, with re-examinations scheduled for early March.

These floods, driven by intense and continuous precipitation, severely impacted agricultural lands along the Atlantic coast, causing crop damage and excess water accumulation. The wet conditions have increased disease pressure on crops, prompting some farmers to consider abandoning their plots. However, forecasts for March predict a mild and dry climate, which should improve agricultural conditions and enable crucial spring farming activities.

Prime Minister Lecornu emphasized the government's full mobilization alongside impacted mayors and residents during this critical period. The declaration of natural disaster status will provide essential support to communities and farmers grappling with the consequences of the flooding.

This update reflects ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the February floods, balancing immediate disaster response and plans for agricultural recovery in the coming weeks.