CEvery morning, it's the same ritual for Francis Geoffroy. Before starting his day, he consults Légifrance, the site on which new legislation, regulations and court decisions are published. “It could happen at any time,” worries the one who watches for each interministerial decree recognizing (or not) the state of natural disaster for ground movements in Charente-Maritime.
This year it fell twice, on August 3 and October 19. Result: 62 municipalities in the department which had requested recognition of the state of natural disaster for episodes of drought – and consequently land movements – in 2023, did not obtain satisfaction. Consequence: like Francis Geoffroy, dozens of owners of cracked houses will not be able to obtain coverage for repairs from the State and their insurance.
In several rooms, Francis Geoffroy added props to support the ceilings.
Romuald Augé
Pavilion riddled with cracks
However, in Chermignac, in the family home of Francis Geoffroy, it is difficult to imagine that nothing happened. From floor to ceiling, including walls, the house is riddled with scars. “Certainly, all the cracks did not appear overnight in 2023,” the man concedes. The first small ones appeared in 2018, but every summer new cracks appear and every summer the old ones grow dangerously larger. »
The cause is the clay soil under this house built in 1979, which dries out deeply in the summer and suddenly fills with water during the first rains. On the surface, it cracks. Since the 1990s, Chermignac has been recognized as being in a state of natural disaster due to land movements following drought around ten times, but not since the first cracks in this family home.
Romuald Augé
No part is spared from cracks.
More than 100,000 euros of work
In this small 80 m² pavilion, the plaster ceiling threatens to fall on the heads of its occupants and props have been placed in various places. Same observation outside. “Here, I had to put a stick and silicone to prevent water infiltration,” says the apprentice handyman. Next door, the neighbors' house is in the same state.
Romuald Augé
In summer, the cracks widen and close slightly in winter.
Even if the pavilion remains habitable for the moment, these cracks have serious consequences. “Normally, a house like that is worth more than 150,000 euros. There, we could barely sell it for 80,000! », shouts Francis Geoffroy. It must be said that between the installation of piles at the foundation level and the repair of the cracks, “it would cost between 120,000 and 150,000 euros for repairs” and more than a year of work.
Administrative twists and turns
Without recognition of the state of natural disaster, nothing will be taken care of. “Even if Chermignac was declared a disaster, it would still be a long journey,” says the specialist. “Insurance experts can always say that the cracks are not caused by ground movements but by a nearby tree, a poorly placed gutter or whatever,” he gets annoyed.
Romuald Augé
“There are 200-year-old houses that are starting to crack,” warns Francis Geoffroy.
In Chermignac, 61 other files were awaiting recognition of the state of natural disaster for 2023 according to the owner. So many people now find themselves without a solution. “It’s a fairly complicated phenomenon, the recognition criteria for which have been tightened since 2019, particularly on the issue of hydrometry,” regrets Francis Geoffroy. And yet, the problem is not close to being resolved. According to the Geological and Mining Research Bureau, 2.8 million inhabitants of Nouvelle-Aquitaine are moderately or highly exposed to this phenomenon.
The Association of Drought Victims
Francis Geoffroy is a member of the office of the Association of drought victims on built properties in Charente-Maritime. He is also the technical advisor. “This association has existed since 2003 and was created following the drought episode experienced in 2002. It serves to help and support victims who, due to these episodes, find themselves with cracked houses. Generally, real estate is located on clay soil,” explains the man who has become a specialist.
Today the association has nearly 600 members. “I see people of a certain age devastated. For them, it is a lifetime heritage that is going up in smoke. My role is to reassure and find solutions. You have to fight with the insurers. We can propose counter-expertise to the expert report. Since September 2023, out of around fifty files assessed in Charente-Maritime, only five have been accepted,” he says.
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