Drought: La Brède requests natural disaster status recognition

The town hall urges residents and professionals to report damage related to clay soil shrinkage and swelling immediately.

Generic image of cracked dry earth with fissures.
AI

Generic image of cracked dry earth with fissures.

In response to damage appearing on homes, the Municipality of La Brède is preparing a request for natural disaster status recognition from state services.

Several residents have recently alerted the town hall about cracks and damage to their properties, potentially linked to the drought period and the phenomenon of clay soil shrinkage and swelling. Consequently, the municipality is organizing to submit a request for natural disaster status recognition to state authorities.
To build a strong case and best defend the interests of its citizens, the town hall needs to compile all material damages suffered by residents and professionals. Those who observe cracks or damage are asked to report to the town hall at: contact@labrede-montesquieu.com.
The town hall will gather the claims from affected individuals to compile a dossier for the Prefecture, including the date and nature of the event, as well as the damages incurred.
It is also recommended to declare damages to your insurance company without delay, even if natural disaster status has not yet been granted. Remember to keep all evidence that helps track the evolution of the damage: dated photographs, descriptions of cracks, their progression, invoices, or any expert reports.
If the Commune is recognized as being in a state of natural disaster, an inter-ministerial decree will be published in the Official Journal. Affected individuals will then have 30 days from this publication to file their claim with their insurer, if not already done. The town will inform residents of the decision as soon as it is known.
Based on information from the official source: Mairie de La Brède (23/09/2026)