Flash floods, fierce winds batter France, claiming two lives

A violent storm swept across France on June 25, unleashing destructive winds, torrential rain, and deadly flash floods that left two people dead and caused widespread disruption.

A 12-year-old boy and a 59-year-old man tragically lost their lives after being struck by trees brought down by powerful gusts, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The boy had been seeking respite from the heat near a river in Tarn-et-Garonne, in southern France, when winds reaching 114 km/h felled a tree, killing him instantly. Meanwhile, in the north-western department of Mayenne, the man was fatally injured when his motorbike collided with a tree that had fallen in the storm.

In the capital, heavy downpours flooded metro stations and turned city streets into rivers, stranding vehicles and forcing pedestrians to seek shelter. “The downpour flooded streets, stranded vehicles and forced pedestrians to flee for shelter as flash floods overwhelmed parts of the capital.” Emergency services were dispatched to dozens of incidents across Paris, responding to more than 40 reports of fallen trees.

Though no injuries were reported in Paris, officials remained on high alert as the storm system moved through the region. Authorities urged the public to exercise caution, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding or falling debris.

According to Météo-France, the thunderstorms were expected to ease overnight into June 26, gradually shifting toward the north and east. However, forecasters cautioned that the extreme heat would return by the weekend and persist into the following week. “Officials have urged the public to take precautions, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding or falling debris.”

The deadly storm followed a searing heatwave that saw temperatures soar above 35°C (95°F), destabilizing atmospheric conditions and fueling the outbreak of violent weather. Gusts of wind exceeding 100 km/h (62 mph) caused significant damage, toppling trees and cutting power lines.

As of June 26 morning, nearly 100,000 homes across central France remained without electricity, emergency services reported. Cleanup and repair efforts are underway as the country braces for another round of intense heat in the coming days.

By Vafa Guliyeva