Paris, June 26, 2025 – France is reeling from the aftermath of intense storms that swept across the country Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The storms, which saw wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h in some areas, left a trail of destruction and sadly, claimed two lives. Météo-France had issued orange alerts for 44 departments, anticipating heavy rainfall, strong winds, and the potential for hail – conditions fueled by the recent heatwave gripping the nation. The alerts were lifted at 3:00 AM this morning, but the damage is already significant.
A 12-year-old boy tragically died in Piquecos, near Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne), after being struck by a falling tree. In Mayenne, a 59-year-old man operating a quad bike died when he collided with a tree that had fallen onto the road during the storm. Emergency services reported responding to over 2,500 calls throughout the night. Seventeen people were injured in total, including one seriously injured in the Nièvre department.
Widespread Power Outages and Disruption
Approximately 110,000 homes remain without electricity, primarily in central France. Power provider Enedis reports that the regions of Auvergne and northern Midi-Pyrénées are the most affected, with issues also present in Centre-Val-de-Loire, Bourgogne, and Limousin. Access remains difficult in some areas, hampering restoration efforts. Free mobile customers are also experiencing network issues in several departments.
In the Paris region, wind speeds reached 109 km/h at Le Bourget airport. Firefighters responded to roughly 40 calls concerning fallen trees and branches blocking roads. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the capital. Public transportation was also affected, with disruptions reported on the RER B and D train lines and some metro stations temporarily closed due to flooding.
Storm Briefly Interrupts National Assembly Debate
The severe weather even managed to briefly interrupt proceedings within the National Assembly. A leak developed in the roof during a debate regarding the situation in Iran and Israel, forcing a momentary suspension of the session.
Cooling Temperatures Expected
Météo-France is forecasting a significant drop in temperatures on Thursday, with highs returning to around 30°C. The heatwave, which marked France's 50th since 1947, will now be largely confined to the Mediterranean coast. Despite the cooling trend, minimum temperatures are expected to remain warm, around 20-22°C in Lyon and Grenoble.
This recent tempest underscores the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events resulting from climate change. The heatwave, which preceded the storms, contributed to the atmospheric instability that fueled the powerful winds and torrential rainfall.
[Image of fallen tree blocking a road]
[Image of flooded street scene]
[Image of firefighters working to restore power]