Paris, June 26 — Violent storms swept across France on Wednesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and claiming the lives of two people. Seventeen others were injured as torrential rain, high winds, and lightning lashed large parts of the country, toppling trees and inundating city streets — including in the capital, Paris.
According to France’s civil defence agency, the storm followed an intense heatwave that had left the ground parched and vulnerable to flash flooding. More than 110,000 homes were left without power, and at least one person remains in critical condition after the severe weather.
Tragedy struck in two parts of the country: a 12-year-old child was killed by a falling tree in south-west France, while in the north-west, a man died after crashing his quad bike into a tree felled by the storm, French media reported.
In Paris, the downpour overwhelmed drainage systems and turned boulevards into rivers, with dramatic scenes unfolding across the city. One of the most symbolic moments came during a parliamentary session in the National Assembly, where water began leaking from the domed ceiling just as Prime Minister François Bayrou was delivering a speech on Middle East policy.
“Have you noticed that it was raining?” Bayrou quipped, glancing upward as the chamber visibly reacted to the sudden leak. The session was temporarily suspended while fire services inspected the historic building. After a 15-minute interruption, Assembly Vice President Roland Lescure resumed proceedings, noting that absorbent mats had been used to contain the leak.
As Parisians ran for shelter in the 20th Arrondissement, thunder cracked overhead and lightning lit up the skyline. The city’s emergency services were stretched thin, responding to multiple calls of flooded basements, fallen trees, and stranded vehicles.
The impact of the storms comes as meteorologists warn of more unsettled weather across Western Europe. In the United Kingdom, the Met Office has forecast further thunderstorms and heavy rain, particularly in south-east England, where humid and unstable conditions are expected to persist.
While eastern England could see highs of 27°C on Thursday, the muggy weather is likely to feel less intense compared to earlier in the week. Met Office meteorologist Honor Criswick noted that a brief period of fresher air would offer some relief.
“For the first part of the day, it is set to be unsettled with outbreaks of quite heavy rain at times, particularly across Scotland,” Criswick said. “But it’s fairly fast moving, so by the time we reach the afternoon, we’re going to see the return of those bright and sunny spells.”
However, the respite will be short-lived. By Friday, low pressure is expected to return, bringing more rain to the west of the UK, while the south and east may remain warm, with temperatures possibly reaching 28°C.
As summer intensifies, both France and the UK appear set for more extremes, underscoring the increasing volatility of Europe’s climate in recent years.
