Thunderstorms Cause Damage in Southwestern France, Leave 7,500 Households without Power
- Other Media news
- August, 24, 2026 - 15:28
The Landes prefecture said major thunderstorms caused “significant damage in around 20 municipalities,” with emergency services responding more than 150 times overnight to “forest fires, flooding and roads blocked by fallen trees,” Anadolu Agency reported.
During the night, 7,500 households were left without electricity.
Firefighters said two people were slightly injured.
The municipality of Peyrehorade “was particularly affected, and the local authority opened an emergency shelter for around 30 residents,” the prefecture said.
Traffic was heavily disrupted around Peyrehorade, while rail traffic was also suspended on the Dax-Hendaye line.
France’s national weather service placed 18 departments under an orange alert for thunderstorms Monday, with strong wind gusts, hail and frequent lightning expected.