Severe thunderstorms hit Corsica, leaving 5 people dead and at least 13 injured, France
Severe thunderstorms with winds gusting up to 224 km/h (139 mph) hit Corsica, France on August 18, 2022, leaving 5 people dead and 13 injured, of which two critically. The same system affected northern Italy, leaving 2 people dead and several injured.
The fatalities in France include a 13-year-old girl who was camping on the island, a 46-year-old man whose home was destroyed by a falling tree, and a 72-year-old woman who died when debris fell over her vehicle.1
Maritime authorities reported 60 to 70 sea rescue operations, mainly along the western coast that bore the brunt of the storm.
Unfortunately, a fisherman died near Girolata, and a female kayaker near Erbalunga, north of Bastia.
At least 13 other people have been treated for weather-related injuries, with two people listed as being in a critical condition.
At least 45 000 customers were left without power.
The same weather system hit northern Italy, dropping hail as large as 5 cm (2 inches) and leaving severe damage in Liguria, Italy.
Tuscany was also severely affected by the storm. Authorities there said 2 people were killed by falling trees while at least 4 others were injured.
The storms come just two days after violent thunderstorms brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of France, bringing temporary relief to the drought-stricken country.3
Hourly rainfalls in excess of 50 mm (1.96 inches) were recorded in parts of the country, with 63 mm (2.48 inches) at Montarnaud and 87 mm (3.42 inches) at Puéchabon.
The storms also brought powerful wind gusts to the region, with 104 km/h (64 mph) registered in Aigues Mortes, 108 km/h (67 mph) in Saint-Mandrier, and 116 km/h (72 mph) in Hyères.
Between 16:45 and 19:15 LT, Paris recorded up to 47 mm (1.8 inches) of rain, as measured in the Montsouris park rain gauge, including 16 mm (0.6 inches) in just 12 minutes.
To put this in perspective, in an hour and a half, the area received the equivalent of 80% of the 1991 – 2020 average monthly accumulation for the entire month of August (58 mm / 2.28 inches).1
References:
1 Five dead as 200km/h winds batter Corsica – The Local – August 18, 2022
2 Severe thunderstorms drops large hail on Liguria, leaves 2 people dead in Tuscany, Italy – The Watchers – August 18, 2022
3 Paris hit by 80% of average August rainfall in 90 minutes, France – The Watchers – August 17, 2022
Featured image credit: Meteo France (stillshot)
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