Violent thunderstorms in southwestern France: thousands of homes still without electricity

Périgueux – 11 July 2026: Following severe thunderstorms in southwestern France, many households remain without electricity. The departments of Dordogne and Gironde are particularly affected. According to network operator Enedis, up to 20,000 customers were disconnected from the power grid at the height of the disruptions. Response teams are working to secure damaged lines and gradually restore supply.

The thunderstorms moved through parts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine on Friday, 10 July. Strong wind gusts, heavy rainfall, hail and significant electrical activity caused damage to infrastructure. Uprooted trees and fallen branches locally struck power lines or blocked roads. In the municipality of Vitrac, in Dordogne, local services reported two trees on the roadway in the evening.

Lightning-caused fires were also reported. The situation is particularly tense due to dry vegetation and persistently high temperatures. The Dordogne prefecture had already warned of an increased risk of forest fires before the thunderstorms passed through. Firefighters, municipal services and network technicians therefore had to respond simultaneously to damage to roads, electrical facilities and threatened natural areas.

To restore supply, Enedis is relying on on-site repairs as well as network switching to re-energize undamaged line sections. The priority is to safely eliminate immediate hazards and reconnect as many customers as possible. In some locations, repairs may take longer if lines have been damaged by trees or if access to affected areas is difficult.

The power outages are affecting the households concerned during a period of intense heat. Without fans, refrigeration appliances or air conditioning, the heat burden can increase significantly in apartments and houses. Relatives and neighbors should pay particular attention to older people, infants, chronically ill people and those dependent on electrically powered medical devices.

Authorities also recommend not touching damaged power lines and observing safety perimeters at response sites. Anyone who discovers a damaged cable, a tree fallen onto a line or a fire should notify emergency services or the network operator. Cleanup work on private properties should only begin once there is no longer any danger from live lines.

In the southwest, the weather situation remains unstable. The thunderstorms have not brought a lasting end to the heat everywhere. The combination of high temperatures, dry areas and possible further local thunderstorms therefore remains a risk factor for power supply, transportation and forest fire suppression in the region.