France, Feb. 27 -- French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu confirmed on Tuesday that 294 municipalities have received the status, following a meeting of a dedicated government commission.

The hardest-hit areas include 63 municipalities in Lot-et-Garonne, 77 in Maine-et-Loire and 91 in Gironde.

A further 77 applications have been postponed to allow local authorities time to complete their submissions, with re-examinations scheduled for 3 and 10 March.

The official decree recognising the natural disaster status is due to be published imminently, paving the way for compensation.

The government, Lecornu said, remains "fully mobilised" alongside mayors and residents as recovery efforts gather pace.

Record flooding across France as storms ...