The French President described the fatalities in Atlantic seaside towns and villages as a "human drama with a terrible death toll" as he pledged emergency aid of almost $4.1 million.

The European Union has also promised money to all countries affected by 90 mph winds and rain, which has included Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Germany.

The storm killed at least 62 people across Western Europe.

But it was France which was worst hit on Sunday, with huge swathes of its west coast battered mercilessly by a storm dubbed "Xynthia".

So far 51 people have been confirmed dead, with at least nine people reported missing.

Many drowned in their own homes as they became flooded by 30ft waves sweeping in from the sea.

The city of La Rochelle and the coastal area to the north and south of it suffered the greatest damage and the most deaths.

Today more than 9,000 emergency workers supported by helicopters were trying to reach stranded residents in the western Vendee and Charente regions.

Visiting the town of L'Aiguillon-sur-Mer, Mr Sarkozy told locals: "We will help you", adding: "There are dead, missing people and we owe them our compassion."

The French leader also tried to staunch a storm of criticism over the state of the country's sea walls, saying "this is not the time."

One official noted just how old some sea walls were. "The sea wall that broke dated from (the era) of Napoleon," Philippe de Villiers, a far-right politician who heads the regional government in Vendee, said. "Either we build (new) sea walls, in which case they need to be taller and taller ... or we have to build further" inland.