Powerful unseasonal storm injures two in Alexandria, Egypt
A powerful storm swept through Alexandria, Egypt, on May 31, 2025, injuring at least two people after strong winds caused part of a building to collapse on their vehicle.
Sanitation utility men work to remove rainwater in Alexandria streets. Credit: Egyptian Ministry of Housing
A powerful unseasonal storm struck Alexandria on May 31, bringing heavy rain, large hail, and strong winds of up to 60 km/h (37 mph).
Heavy rainfall and a hailstorm overwhelmed the city’s drainage infrastructure, leading to widespread surface flooding across multiple districts. Local authorities declared a state of emergency in response to the storm, deploying civil defense units and rescue teams across the city.
Coastal roads and underpasses were temporarily closed, and maritime activity at Alexandria Port was suspended. Power outages were reported in several areas due to wind damage to power lines.
The storm prompted Alexandria’s governor, Ahmed Khaled Hassan, to declare a state of maximum alert and direct emergency teams to remove debris and tow away vehicles.
Local media reported that at least two people were injured due to the storm, one of whom was in critical condition.
This morning: Shocking Summer Storm Hits Alexandria- Egypt. May 31, 2025
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) May 31, 2025
Alexandria was hit by a rare and powerful summer storm, bringing strong winds, heavy rain, hail, thunder, and lightning. Streets were flooded, and several light poles and signs were knocked down, creating… pic.twitter.com/Osi6641YYi
Both people were injured when part of a building collapsed on their car amid the severe weather. The Bab Sharqi Police Department received a report from residents about the collapse of parts of building No. 183 on Zakaria Ghoneim Street (also known as “Tannis”) in the Sporting district.
EGYPT#Weathernews: the city of #Alexandria has been hit by an unusual storm for the region during night of Friday to Saturday May 31, bringing unusually heavy rain, strong winds, and heavy hail. With material damage reported across the city, authorities are urging caution. pic.twitter.com/N4MsYWa4VO
— Nanana365 (@nanana365media) May 31, 2025
Another vehicle in the vicinity was also destroyed, but the occupants managed to escape in time.
While many reports criticized the Egyptian meteorological agency for not issuing proper warnings, the authority had posted warnings about excessive rain and thunderstorms on social media prior to the event.
This type of weather is atypical for late May in northern Egypt, where the region usually experiences dry and stable conditions during this period.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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