Massive power outages affect 200 homes due to thunderstorms; 110 firefighters step in to manage potential fires.
Storms Cause Chaos in Cher Department, France
A violent storm swept through the Cher department in France on August 13, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm, part of a broader pattern of thunderstorms and heavy rain affecting the region, brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and even hail to the area.
According to Joel Vignel, the mayor of Precy, the storm was unexpected despite a prefecture warning. The intensity of the storm caused significant damage in Precy, with approximately 80% of houses affected. Emergency services were called to cover the roofs of homes and clear roads due to fallen trees in Sancergue, Nerondes, and Jouet-sur-l'Aubois.
In Precy, no injuries were reported, but the communal buildings, town hall, church, school playground, and municipal garages were also affected. The mayor praised the solidarity of his constituents in helping each other and clearing roads.
The storm was particularly violent in Jussy-le-Chaudrier, where a 20,000-volt line fell. Mayor Jean-Francois Pasque compared the storm in Jussy-le-Chaudrier to the tornado of 1986. Wind gusts of 90 km/h were recorded in Ourouer-les-Bourdelins during the stormy episode, and 86 km/h were recorded in Avord.
The Meteo Centre-Val de Loire association was involved in reporting on the stormy episode in the Cher department on Wednesday. ICI Berry (ex-France Bleu) reported 110 interventions by firefighters during the stormy episode in the Cher department. At the height of the stormy episode, approximately 6,000 homes in the Cher department were without electricity.
It is important to note that the violent storm with hail and flooding was established around July 23, 2025, in Cher, while August 13 saw significant but less specifically documented thunderstorms and rainfall linked to weather instability after a heatwave. There was no direct report of a violent hailstorm or flooding specifically on August 13 in Cher.
The Cher department remains on orange vigilance for a risk of storms until 11 pm on Wednesday. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and follow the instructions of emergency services.
| Date | Storm Cause | Storm Type/Extent | Location | |------------------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | July 23, 2025 | Severe hailstorm due to localized thunderstorms | Large hail (table tennis ball size), flooding, “hail rivers” | Northern Cher department (Sury-en-Vaux, Saint-Père) and northern Nièvre | | August 13, 2025 | Thunderstorms with heavy rain amid cooling after heatwave | Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, part of wider regional pattern | Cher department, along with other central and northeast départements |
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