Storms wreak havoc across France, electricity cut off for nearly 5,000 households - see pics
Storms across large parts of France Saturday killed one woman, wrought havoc in some vineyards and forced thousands of cub scouts to run for shelter.
In contrast, the Mediterranean island of Corsica sweltered in record temperatures for the month of June. (Text: AFP)
People stuck due to storm
A woman died after being trapped under a car by flash waters caused by a storm in the northern city of Rouen, the mayor's office announced.
In the Landes and Gers region of southwest France, hailstones bigger than golf balls crashed down on parts of the Armagnac vineyard, local growers and officials said.
(Photograph:AFP)
Land affected
Bernard Malabirade, president of the Gers agriculture department, said the hailstorm had affected tens of thousands of hectares.
In the southwest Landes region, wine grower Nelly Lacave described the destruction left in the wake of the storm.
"In the vineyards, there is nothing left, the roof of our agricultural building is a giant Swiss cheese, and in the house, the windows are broken," she told AFP.
"My father, who is almost 70 years old, has never seen this," she added.
(Photograph:Others)
Scouts given a shelter
In Loir-et-Cher, central France, 30,000 scouts who gathered for a camping trip over the Pentecost holiday weekend had to be rushed to safety, many of them inside the local chateau.
"Ten thousand youngsters, aged between eight and 12, were given shelter inside the chateau with the cooperation of the prefecture," he added.
(Photograph:AFP)
More storms on the way
Cap Corse on the north of the island of Corsica, registered 37.4 degrees Celsius (99.3 Fahrenheit), said meteorologists France-Meteo, a record for the month of June.
France-Meteo has warned more storms were on the way, starting in the southwest and moving north and east across the country.
(Photograph:AFP)