Storms batter holiday homes in Europe
Overseas holiday home owners are urged to check their properties for storm or flood damage following the violent storm “Xynthia” which battered France, Spain and Portugal yesterday – leaving 51 people dead.
The bulk of the casualties and damage was in France, hitting the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions in southwestern France the hardest.
Fierce rain and 150mph winds caused rivers to burst their banks and sea walls to collapse, flooding properties and leaving up to a million homes without power. The deadliest storm in a decade.
Prime Minister François Fillon has declared a state of catastrophe naturelle and a ministerial decree to this effect should be published within 48 hours.
Claims experts at Schofields holiday homes insurance are urging property owners to check their homes for signs of damage, take photos and notify the claims department straight away for advice on getting repairs authorised.
Following heavy rain which affected England and Wales, the Environment Agency has also issued several flood warnings.