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The army has been called in to clear up the damage caused by a tornado in Le Nord.
Around 100 personnel will help to restore the villages of Hautmont, Boussières-sur-Ambre and Maubeuge after they were hit by a tornado on the night of August 4.
The town of Neuf-Mesnil, which was also struck, has not asked for aid.
The troops will reinforce civil groups already helping those affected by the damage.
Winds of around 130mph carved a 10km trail of destruction damaging around 1,000 homes, leaving 200 completely uninhabitable in Hautmont – the town worst hit.
Three people were killed in the storm and thirteen were injured.
Lieutenant-colonel Patrick Hartmann said: “The soldiers are here to clear away the wreckage, salvage what can be saved and set up mobile homes.”
The Association Française de l'Assurance has estimated the damage up to €40 million with 3,500 insurance claims already filed.
The mairie of Hautmont said it had received an enormous amount of support from neighbouring communes and societies.
