Drought and heatwave periods, like those experienced this summer, can lead to the drying out and movement of clay soils. When these soils retract and then rehydrate, these movements can cause cracks in homes and buildings.
This phenomenon, known as clay shrinkage and swelling, can be grounds for a request for natural disaster status recognition. In this context, the municipality will submit a request to the state services.
Residents who have noticed the appearance or worsening of cracks this year are invited to register with the urban planning department. The aim is to determine the number of potentially affected buildings in the municipality.
To do this, you can contact the department by email at urbanisme@mairie-castelnau-medoc.fr, providing your name, surname, and email address, or by filling out the form provided.
This census is open until October 27, 2026. It will enable the municipality to better assess the extent of the observed damage and support its request to the state services.
Recognition of natural disaster status is a state decision and is not automatic. If granted, a decree will be published. Affected residents can then contact their insurer to initiate the procedures outlined in their contract.
