The region of Roanne (Loire) was particularly affected on Wednesday evening by hailstorms, which damaged many roofs, firefighters said Thursday, June 23.
Read alsoViolent hailstorms cause significant material damage in several departments
"
Since 5:00 p.m., we have received 1,400 calls, which generated 466 interventions in Roanne and its outskirts, including 360 in the commune of Coteau alone
", which adjoins Roanne, counted the firefighters of the Loire.
The main interventions concern the roofing, which resumed in the morning on Thursday.
Two teams of drone pilots from neighboring Puy-de-Dôme are also expected to help with reconnaissance.
“Big as golf balls”
Some 2,500 m2 of the roof of a chocolate factory in the Coteau have been "
damaged
", according to the firefighters, who will have to replenish their stock of plastic tarpaulins with a company in Saint-Chamond, near Saint-Étienne .
“
The hailstones were as big as golf balls
”, told AFP the town hall of Le Coteau, underlining “
the solidarity between the inhabitants who lent each other tarpaulins
” and “
the enormous work of the firefighters
”.
The public gardens and green spaces, which had been the subject of “
big investments for two years are ruined
”, still deplored the town hall.
The bad weather caused no casualties, firefighters said.
Read alsoBad weather from June 2 to 5 will cost 940 million euros, estimates France Assureurs
Already on Tuesday, violent hailstorms had caused significant material damage in several departments in the center-east, in particular in Saône-et-Loire, in Nièvre or in Allier.
Again 25 departments were placed on Thursday in orange vigilance to thunderstorms on a northeast quarter, a new burst of violent thunderstorms being expected at midday on the center-east, spreading towards the northeast in the afternoon.