Bucharest reels from strongest storm in 30 years; new warnings issued

Overnight devastation

A violent storm swept across Romania on the night of June 30 to July 1, with Bucharest bearing the brunt. In just 10 hours, the capital received between 70 and 88 liters of rain per square meter, equivalent to over 92% of the average monthly rainfall for June, according to water utility Apa Nova. Wind gusts exceeded 80 km/h, downing hundreds of trees and ripping roofs from buildings.

Casualties and damage

One man died in Găneasa, Ilfov county, when a tree fell onto his car; the driver survived. In Buzău, another person was injured by a falling tree, and 50 residents were evacuated after lightning struck their building, sparking a fire. Nationwide, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (IGSU) reported 988 trees down, 49 utility poles toppled, and 66 buildings with roof damage. At least 495 cars were damaged, and water flooded 353 homes, 93 yards, 208 basements, and 101 streets.

“We intervened to evacuate water from 353 houses, 93 yards, 208 basements, 101 streets, and to clear 988 fallen trees, 49 poles, and remove construction elements from 66 buildings.”

Infrastructure and transport disruptions

In Bucharest, the Piața Victoriei 2 metro station on Line 1 was closed after flooding made the tracks unsafe. Bulevardul Basarabia was partially shut from noon on July 1 after a heating gallery collapsed, risking a road cave-in. Bulevardul Magheru was also closed because part of the Hotel Ambasador roof was hanging dangerously. Dozens of cars were abandoned on flooded streets, and public transport was severely disrupted.

Response and ongoing operations

Firefighters from nine counties were dispatched to assist Bucharest-Ilfov, where the local emergency inspectorate handled over 2,200 calls. By 8 a.m., water utility Apa Nova had received 724 calls, resolving 660. The city’s streets administration and other agencies continued pumping water and clearing debris at dozens of intersections. RO-ALERT sent 58 warning messages, and the national weather service issued 19 nowcasting alerts during the storm.

“Bucharest faced one of the most extreme weather phenomena. Based on the experience of this institution over the last 30 years, this phenomenon was the strongest.”

New weather warnings

The danger is not over. The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) has issued an orange code for Bucharest from 3 p.m. on July 1 until 6 a.m. on July 2, forecasting torrential rain of 20–40 l/m2 (locally over 50), wind gusts of 60–80 km/h, hail, and frequent lightning. Yellow codes for instability remain in effect through July 3. Similar warnings cover counties in Transylvania and other regions, with nowcasting alerts for immediate severe weather in Cluj, Bistrița-Năsăud, Alba, and Sibiu.