Severe storms in France: at least two dead, over 50,000 homes lose power

Rescue workers in action after storm Pedro swept across France, on 18 February 2026. - Copyright AP Photo/Yohan Bonnet

By Olivier Tolachides

Published on 17/07/2026 - 11:40 GMT+2•Updated 11:49

Thirty French departments were placed on orange alert for storms, with a risk of large hailstones on Thursday evening.

The severe thunderstorms that hit France on Thursday evening left at least two people dead, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In Saint-Victurnien, in the Haute-Vienne département, a woman died after a tree fell. In Dolomieu, in the Isère département, a man was found charred in a workshop that burned down after a lightning strike.

Thirty départements in central and eastern France were placed on orange alert for thunderstorms, with a risk of large hailstones, on Thursday evening.

Power grid operator Enedis said on Friday morning that nearly 53 000 households had been affected by power cuts following the severe storms.

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Severe storms in France: at least two dead, over 50,000 homes lose power

Thirty French departments were placed on orange alert for storms, with a risk of large hailstones on Thursday evening.

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