Powerful thunderstorms swept through southwestern France overnight, causing widespread damage in the Landes department and leaving 7,500 households without electricity by early Monday. Emergency services carried out more than 170 interventions across roughly 20 municipalities, responding to forest fires, flooding, and roads blocked by fallen trees. Two people sustained minor injuries.
The town of Peyrehorade was among the hardest hit, prompting authorities to open an emergency shelter for about 30 residents. Rail traffic between Dax and Hendaye was suspended, and the A641 motorway near Peyrehorade was closed in both directions.
Météo-France placed 18 southern departments on orange alert for Monday afternoon, warning of wind gusts up to 120 km/h, hail, and intense electrical activity. The agency said the storm system was expected to move eastward toward Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence overnight.