Cyclone Xynthia was an exceptionally violent European windstorm which crossed Western Europe between 27 February and 1 March 2010.

[7] Flooding affected parts of the Charente-Maritime département (Suburbs of La Rochelle,[8] cities of Fouras, Marennes, Châtelaillon as well as Ré and Oléron Island[9]) where high speed wind were registered (160 km/h [99 mph]).

[7] An emergency meeting was held on 28 February by French Prime Minister François Fillon following the effects in France.

[16] In response to the coastal flooding brought by Xynthia, the French Government announced on 8 April 2010 that it had decided to destroy 1,510 houses in the affected areas of which 823 were in the Vendée and 595 were in Charente-Maritime.

[16] The government promised to fully compensate all home-owners, based on the value of the real estate prior to the storm, with the ministry of finance stating that they would pay €250,000 per house.

[16] The French Government produced a document called Rapid inundation plan: coastal floods, flash floods and dike failures -"Plan submersions rapides: submersions marines, crues soudaines et ruptures de digues" in February 2011.

[16] This plan details the policy response brought about not only as a result of Xynthia in February 2010, but also severe June 2010 flash flooding in the Var Department in southern France that led to the deaths of 25 people.