Two people have died and tens of thousands of households have been left without electricity after powerful thunderstorms swept across France, bringing destructive winds, torrential rain and widespread disruption.
One person was killed when a tree fell onto a vehicle during the storms, while another died in a weather related incident as violent winds battered several regions. Emergency services responded to hundreds of calls as firefighters worked to clear fallen trees, assist stranded motorists and secure damaged buildings.
French electricity network operator Enedis said more than 53,000 households lost power as strong winds brought down power lines and damaged electrical infrastructure. Repair crews were deployed across the affected regions to restore electricity as quickly as possible.
The storms also caused significant disruption to road and rail transport, with fallen trees, flash flooding and debris blocking major routes. Several train services experienced delays or cancellations, while local authorities urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel until weather conditions improved.
Météo France, the country’s national weather agency, issued severe weather warnings for multiple departments, cautioning that intense rainfall, hail and damaging wind gusts could continue in some areas. Authorities advised residents to remain indoors where possible and to stay away from forests, rivers and flood prone locations.
Scientists say extreme weather events, including intense storms and prolonged heatwaves, are becoming more frequent across Europe as climate change contributes to rising temperatures and more volatile weather patterns. French authorities continue to assess the damage while emergency crews remain on standby in areas still at risk of severe weather.
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