Violent Storm Devastates Gironde: Recovery Efforts Underway
Storm impacts in Gironde lead to major damages and ongoing recovery efforts.
Key Points
- • A violent storm hit Gironde, causing extensive damage and disruptions.
- • Firefighters conducted 136 interventions across 18 municipalities with no reported casualties.
- • Approximately 7,000 homes were without electricity as of 9:00 AM June 14, recovery efforts are ongoing.
- • Train services have been significantly disrupted, affecting numerous routes.
A violent storm struck Gironde in the early hours of June 14, 2025, wreaking havoc across several municipalities, including Bordeaux, Mérignac, and Libourne. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties, but the storm has caused significant damages and disruptions.
Firefighters have responded to 136 emergencies across 18 affected municipalities, handling incidents ranging from flooding to fires caused by lightning strikes. Among the notable incidents was a fire in Carbon-Blanc, which damaged two homes, and an electrical substation in Bordeaux that was flooded, impacting power supply for 62 businesses and 212 homes. In Libourne, a fire in a commercial center disrupted electricity for 13 businesses and 500 residences.
As of June 14 at 9:00 AM, approximately 7,000 households remained without electricity, with the electricity provider Enedis actively working to restore service. Additionally, flooding affected 21 apartments in Canéjan, leading to the relocation of residents, and five individuals had to be rescued from vehicles trapped by surging waters in Pessac. The storm also raised concerns about the integrity of structures in the region, with damage reported to a polyclinic's alarm system and localized flooding threatening a building in Le Haillan.
Train services have also been significantly disrupted, particularly on routes between Langon and Bordeaux, with delays affecting approximately twenty trains due to blocked crossings and necessary repairs. Although the storm alarm was lifted in the morning, meteorological authorities have issued a new yellow weather warning for the evening of June 14, urging residents to remain vigilant during travel.