not heard anyhting yet

we have friends down near Mirambeau so waiting for info back

I've got sky and put the France news channel on at dinnertime and it said about 41 deaths and still a load unaccounted for so I hope everybody is safe and well.

The main areas of France to be hit by the flooding are the coastal hinterlands of the Vendée according to TF1 and France 2 this evening. France has declared the damage as a natural catastrophe which will unblock a lot of funds from state aid and insurance companies so the repair work can start quickly. Many properties damaged were single-storey blocks in villages and flat lands, rather than in cities.

There doesn't seem to be any disruption today to rail and air services in the area, but some power has not been restored.

If you have holiday properties in the affected area, you might consider contacting the Mairie (Town Hall) of your commune or the local Securité Civile who may be able to make a visit and give you some idea of the state of your property.

Our house in Nieul Le Virouil (near Mirambeau) got off lightly with only damage to the trees with loads of branches coming down. Our neighbours who have kept us informed had a barn door ripped off and all their polytunnels badly damaged. No-one else in our hamlet has had too much damage.
Another friend near Champagnolles had damage to their chicken house and some small trees have gone missing!!

We are going back over in 3 weeks so will get firsthand knowledge then.

Carol