Violent storms hit the Rhône and Loire rivers; a car was crushed by a tree in Lyon.

Violent thunderstorms swept through the Rhône and Loire regions late Sunday afternoon, August 9, following a day of scorching temperatures. Gusts exceeding 100 km/h were recorded in some areas, accompanied by heavy rainfall and, in places, hail. Despite the significant material damage, no casualties had been reported by Sunday evening.

In Lyon, several trees and branches were brought down by the strong winds. In the 9th arrondissement, a tree fell on a parked car, crushing it completely. The vehicle was empty at the time of the impact. Other damage was reported in the 4th and 6th arrondissements, as well as in several towns in the greater Lyon area, including torn-off roof tiles and blocked roads.

Cellars and roads flooded in the Loire

In the Loire department, storms caused flooding and damaged several roofs. Cellars were flooded, and some roads became temporarily impassable, particularly in Saint-Étienne. Emergency services and municipal workers were mobilized to secure the affected areas, clear roads, and repair damaged buildings.

The passing storms caused a dramatic drop in temperatures. In Lyon's Tête d'Or park, the thermometer plummeted from 37°C to 23°C in just a few minutes. This Monday, the Rhône department remains under an orange heatwave warning and a yellow thunderstorm warning. The Loire department, meanwhile, remains under a yellow warning for both weather events.