Nord

Recorded Natural Hazards (Géorisques)

It has 647 municipalities and 2,615,635 inhabitants. Under the seismic zoning in force since 2011, its highest seismicity is moderate (zone 3 of 5). A natural disaster has been declared 4,200 times since 1982 (one declaration per municipality and decree), mostly for floods (2,354) and drought (1,118). The most recent was signed on 18 January 2026. 9 municipalities have a high radon potential (category 3), home to 1% of inhabitants. 273 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

• 1999Ground Movements · 25 December 1999648 municipalities
• 1999Floods and Mudflows · 25 December 1999648 municipalities
• 1993Floods and Mudflows · 19 December 1993165 municipalities
• 2022Drought (Clay Shrinkage) · 1 April 2022112 municipalities
• 1990Drought (Clay Shrinkage) · 1 January 199092 municipalities
• 1991Floods and Mudflows · 19 November 199177 municipalities

Most Frequently Affected Municipalities

• 25Dunkerque
• 24Wormhout
• 23Bailleul
• 23Steenvoorde
• 21Esquelbecq
• 21Hazebrouck
• 21Merville
• 20Oudezeele

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