A resident of Yves, near La Rochelle, cleans plates in a flooded street in front of her destroyed house March 1, 2010, after a severe storm named Xynthia swept western France. France's government has declared a natural disaster, enabling victims to claim compensation and free up insurance claims. France will also seek European Union aid for the region. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE - Tags: ENVIRONMENT DISASTER) FOR BEST QUALITY IMAGE: ALSO SEE GM1E63C1NNP01