Hérault

Recorded Natural Hazards (Géorisques)

It has 341 municipalities and 1,230,289 inhabitants. Under the seismic zoning in force since 2011, its highest seismicity is low (zone 2 of 5). A natural disaster has been declared 3,570 times since 1982 (one declaration per municipality and decree), mostly for floods (2,479) and drought (625). The most recent was signed on 18 January 2026. 62 municipalities have a high radon potential (category 3), home to 4% of inhabitants. 233 municipalities are covered by an approved natural hazard prevention plan.

Seismicity Zones

Number of municipalities in each zone of the regulatory seismic zoning (from 1, very low, to 5, high).

Natural Disasters Declared Since 1982

Declarations per five-year period.

Most Widespread Events

• 1982Floods and Mudflows · 6 November 1982342 municipalities
• 1982Storms · 6 November 1982342 municipalities
• 2019Floods and Mudflows · 22 October 201997 municipalities
• 2014Floods and Mudflows · 29 September 201496 municipalities
• 2023Drought (Clay Shrinkage) · 1 January 202386 municipalities
• 2017Drought (Clay Shrinkage) · 1 July 201775 municipalities

Most Frequently Affected Municipalities

• 35Montpellier
• 30Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone
• 28Lattes
• 28Portiragnes
• 26Grabels
• 26Marseillan
• 24Fabrègues
• 24Saint-Jean-de-Védas

Hazards Listed by Municipality

Number of municipalities exposed to each natural hazard according to the departmental major risks file.

Hazards at a specific address on Géorisques