Sarthe

Recorded Natural Hazards (Géorisques)

It has 352 municipalities and 566,733 inhabitants. Under the seismic zoning in force since 2011, its highest seismicity is low (zone 2 of 5). A natural disaster has been declared 1,996 times since 1982 (one declaration per municipality and decree), mostly for floods (1,147) and ground movements (448). The most recent was signed on 19 January 2025. 39 municipalities have a high radon potential (category 3), home to 5% of inhabitants. 113 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 1999354 municipalities
• 1999Floods and Mudflows · 25 December 1999354 municipalities
• 1995Floods and Mudflows · 17 January 1995100 municipalities
• 2003Floods and Mudflows · 25 June 200362 municipalities
• 2005Drought (Clay Shrinkage) · 1 July 200548 municipalities
• 2018Floods and Mudflows · 9 June 201845 municipalities

Most Frequently Affected Municipalities

• 25Le Mans
• 19Sablé-sur-Sarthe
• 18La Chartre-sur-le-Loir
• 18Loir en Vallée
• 17Montval-sur-Loir
• 17Fresnay-sur-Sarthe
• 15Luché-Pringé
• 15Tuffé Val de la Chéronne

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