France launches national flood prevention campaign

The French government has launched its eleventh annual national awareness campaign to prepare citizens for intense rainfall and flooding risks associated with Mediterranean weather episodes. The initiative, led by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Ecological Transition, aims to foster a culture of risk management among the 9.1 million permanent residents and tourists living in vulnerable areas.

The campaign will run from late August through November 2026, targeting 15 specific departments: Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Alpes-Maritimes, Ardèche, Aveyron, Aude, Bouches-du-Rhône, Corse-du-Sud, Haute-Corse, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, Lozère, Pyrénées-Orientales, Var, and Vaucluse.

This preventive action follows deadly flooding in 2025 in the Var and Bouches-du-Rhône regions. Officials noted that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of these episodes, making flooding the primary natural risk in France. The campaign will utilize digital, radio, and television channels to promote life-saving reflexes and pragmatic safety actions.