Severe thunderstorms damage Belgium and France, spark dozens of emergency calls

A violent thunderstorm swept the Tournai area in Belgium on Friday evening, bringing near‑storm‑force winds that knocked down trees, damaged vehicles and destroyed the historic Huisekoutermolen wooden mill. Firefighters recorded about fifty interventions, including clearing a fallen tree from boulevard Lalaing and addressing blocked roads in several nearby communes. The storm also forced a temporary suspension of the local music festival.

In the French department of Eure, the same night the storm produced heavy rain and hail, prompting 37 fire‑service interventions between 18:30 and 22:00. Crews dealt with 26 cases of water‑logged basements and streets, protected property, and reported material damage to cars, roofs and gardens in Gaillon. No casualties were reported in either country.