Gironde Storm Causes Significant Damage and Disruption but No Casualties
A severe storm in Gironde resulted in significant damage and infrastructure disruption but no casualties reported.
Key Points
- • Storm caused extensive damage across Gironde, particularly in Bordeaux and Libourne.
- • Firefighters responded to 136 emergencies; major incidents included flooding and structural damage.
- • Approximately 7,000 households without electricity; train services disrupted for about 20 trains.
- • New yellow weather alert issued for potential storms on June 14.
On June 13-14, 2025, a violent storm unleashed chaos in the Gironde department of France, causing extensive material damage and widespread disruption across various municipalities. Fortunately, despite the severity of the storm, there were no reported casualties.
The Gironde firefighters responded to a substantial number of emergencies, with 136 interventions across 18 communes affected by the storm's impact. Major incidents included a lightning strike that ignited a fire in Carbon-Blanc, affecting two homes and necessitating the relocation of seven people. Flooding was a significant concern as well, particularly in Bordeaux where it hampered operations at an electrical substation, leaving 212 homes and 62 businesses without power.
As early as 9 AM on June 14, around 7,000 households remained without electricity, with repair crews from Enedis working diligently to restore power. Additionally, train services faced disruption due to blocked railway crossings, impacting about 20 trains operating between Langon and Bordeaux. Hundreds of passengers experienced delays as the storm led to dangerous conditions on the roads, with reports of vehicles stranded by rising waters in Pessac and emergency services rescuing five individuals in that area.
Further issues were noted, including water ingress at the Bordeaux Caudéran polyclinic and concerns over the structural integrity of an industrial site in Le Haillan. To ensure public safety, Météo-France issued a new yellow weather alert for the evening of June 14, prompting local authorities to advise caution while traveling.
In a broader context, the storm formed part of a series of violent weather events affecting various regions in France, but in Gironde, the focus remains on recovery and the resumption of normal services amidst potential for further storms.