France Storms Cause Fatalities and Major Disruptions
Severe France storms swept across the country Wednesday evening, leaving a deadly trail. At least two people were killed and 17 others injured as heavy rainfall and strong winds toppled trees, flooded city streets, and even disrupted a session of the French parliament.
A 12-year-old child was tragically killed by a falling tree in southwest France, while another man died after crashing into a fallen tree while riding a quad bike in the northwest, according to local media reports.
Torrential Rain Floods Paris and Interrupts Parliament
In Paris, heavy downpours quickly inundated major boulevards and overwhelmed drainage systems. Inside the National Assembly, the France storms made their presence felt when the building’s domed ceiling began leaking during a speech by Prime Minister François Bayrou.
“Have you noticed that it was raining?” Bayrou remarked as he looked up at the visibly dripping ceiling.
Assembly Vice President Roland Lescure promptly suspended the debate so emergency crews could assess the situation. When the session resumed 15 minutes later, Lescure confirmed that absorbent mats were deployed to contain the leak.
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Power Outages and Widespread Impact
France’s civil defense agency reported that power was knocked out for approximately 110,000 homes as the storm system rolled through much of the country. The agency also noted that one person remains in critical condition due to storm-related injuries.
The France storms came on the heels of a prolonged heat wave, intensifying the impact as infrastructure strained under extreme weather conditions.
Climate Concerns Rise as Extreme Weather Escalates
The abrupt shift from scorching heat to dangerous France storms underscores growing climate volatility. Experts warn that such extreme weather patterns may become more frequent as global temperatures continue to rise.
Emergency services remain on high alert as cleanup and recovery efforts continue. The French government has yet to announce whether additional disaster assistance will be made available.
