Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Recorded Natural Hazards (Géorisques)

It has 545 municipalities and 706,564 inhabitants. Under the seismic zoning in force since 2011, 314 municipalities are in a medium or high seismicity zone (50% of inhabitants). A natural disaster has been declared 5,743 times since 1982 (one declaration per municipality and decree), mostly for floods (3,136) and wave action (1,107). The most recent was signed on 8 July 2025. 22 municipalities have a high radon potential (category 3), home to 3% of inhabitants. 122 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

• 2009Wave Impact, Coastal Flooding · 24 January 2009546 municipalities
• 2009Floods and Mudflows · 24 January 2009546 municipalities
• 1999Wave Impact, Coastal Flooding · 25 December 1999543 municipalities
• 1982Floods and Mudflows · 6 November 1982543 municipalities
• 1982Storms · 6 November 1982543 municipalities
• 1983Storms · 17 July 1983221 municipalities

Most Frequently Affected Municipalities

• 35Orthez
• 29Salies-de-Béarn
• 27Mouguerre
• 27Villefranque
• 26Gan
• 25Bayonne
• 24Ciboure
• 24Saint-Jean-de-Luz

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