Homes were flooded and communities covered in a white blanket of hailstones as storms swept across southern France on Wednesday (May 24).
The downpours swelled streams in Comminges (Haute-Garonne) leading to floods in the village of Génos.
That saw a dozen houses, a sheep pen and a honey farm flooded, reported La Dépêche.
In nearby Galié (Haute-Garonne) an elderly person had to be evacuated and spent the night in hospital.
The RN125 road linking the area to the Spanish border was cut off between Labroquère and Chaum.
Meanwhile, further east in communities around Montpellier, there were heavy hail storms.
Residents stayed inside and took photos and videos of gardens that looked as white as snow due to hailstones, which were as big as 3cm in diameter, according to television channel TF1.
The centre of Vendargues, north-east of Montpellier, was flooded.
#Hérault : les #orages déversent des quantités de #grêle impressionnantes autour de #Montpellier ! La commune de #Jacou est lourdement frappée. #Occitanie #météo ⛈️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/OG42NzZHp2
— InfOccitanie (@infoccitanie) May 24, 2023
Orage de grêle sur la commune du Cres. #herault pic.twitter.com/6uAZBCJaHK
— France Bleu Hérault (@bleuherault) May 24, 2023
Read more: Southern France on storms alert a day after hail hits Gard and Hérault
Storm warnings are in place for Thursday (May 25) for a handful of departments in the south-east and south-west corners of France.
Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées are on alert for floods.
On Friday (May 26) afternoon and into the evening, 19 departments have been issued storm warnings.
The tables have turned weather-wise in France, with the traditionally sunny south hit by storms and hail, while the north experiences a sustained dry spell.
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