 Days of heavy rains in early November have caused Northern France's rivers to overflow and flooded houses and fields, prompting the evacuation of residents, with some having to be airlifted to safety. Over 260 villages and towns, comprising at least 6,000 residences have been affected, according to authorities. While rivers have stopped overflowing in most parts, some areas remain underwater. Businesses have also been hit hard by what the French government has declared to be a natural disaster in most of the regions affected. In all, the state-owned Caisse-centrale de reassurance-re-insurance company says damages may reach up to $599 million. French President Emmanuel Macron's government has promised it would cover, for six months, the relocation costs of residents of the 181 municipalities recognized as having been hit by a natural disaster. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire has also urged insurers to act swiftly and without net-picking.