Severe thunderstorms swept across central and eastern France on July 16-17, 2026, causing significant damage. Météo-France placed several departments on orange alert for storms, with reports of hail the size of golf balls in parts of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.
In the city of Lyon, flash floods inundated streets and basements, disrupting traffic and public transport. Local authorities reported at least 15 minor injuries from falling debris and slippery roads. Emergency services responded to over 200 calls for assistance.
In the Loire Valley, vineyards suffered damage from hail, with some growers estimating losses of up to 30% of the harvest. The storm also knocked down power lines, leaving around 50,000 households without electricity at the peak of the event, according to Enedis.
By the morning of July 17, the storms had moved eastward toward Germany and Switzerland, with residual showers in the Alps. Cleanup operations are underway, and Météo-France has downgraded the alert level.
