Storms flood over 40 homes across 10 Prahova localities, blocking Romania's DN1 highway with landslides

Extent of the flooding

Heavy storms over the preceding 24 hours caused flooding in 10 localities across Prahova county, with the Inspectorate for Emergency Situations (ISU) reporting that over 40 homes and dozens of courtyards were inundated. The hardest-hit communities included Bușteni (15 houses, 15 courtyards, 14 cellars), Breaza de Jos (11 houses, 25 courtyards, one cellar), Măneciu-Pământeni (6 houses, 6 courtyards), and Adunați (4 houses). Additional damage was recorded in Comarnic, Ploiești, Păulești, and Scorțeni, while fallen trees were cleared in Băicoi and Câmpina. Across the wider region, the Department for Emergency Situations (DSU) confirmed effects in 20 localities spanning five counties (Bacău, Buzău, Ilfov, Prahova, Vaslui) and the municipality of Bucharest.

Highway blocked by landslides

On the DN1 highway between Breaza de Jos and Comarnic, traffic was blocked after heavy runoff carried alluvium onto the carriageway and a landslide destabilised the road. A vehicle was damaged in the incident, though the two occupants did not require medical attention. In Adunați, ground displacement affected the road embankment and one house, while in Cornu a slope collapse blocked both lanes of the DN1. Authorities described the infrastructure damage in Adunați and Bușteni as structural failure of drainage elements, erosion of the road surface, and blockage of the road platform with alluvial deposits.

On DN 1, between the localities of Breaza de Jos and Comarnic, road traffic was blocked due to the accumulation of alluvium on the carriageway and the occurrence of a landslide. Following this event, a vehicle was damaged. No casualties were recorded.

Emergency response mobilised

A total of 249 personnel and 69 vehicles were deployed in Prahova county on 20 July to manage the aftermath. This force included 130 firefighters and 25 vehicles from ISU Prahova, supplemented by 119 personnel and 44 vehicles dispatched from emergency inspectorates in Argeș, Brașov, Bucharest-Ilfov, Covasna, Dâmbovița, Teleorman, and the Ciolpani special unit. Crews pumped water from 42 houses, 54 courtyards, and 16 cellars, removed loose construction elements from the roofs of 10 buildings, and cleared 40 fallen trees that had damaged nine vehicles.

Operations continue on 21 July

Approximately 200 firefighters and rescue workers remain on the ground on Tuesday, 21 July, concentrating efforts in Breaza and Bușteni. Tasks include water evacuation, ditch clearance, and removal of mud and alluvium. Mixed commissions and specialist teams have begun assessing and centralising the damage across all affected localities. No people are currently reported trapped, and no medical emergencies have arisen that cannot be handled.

Prahova military firefighters, together with colleagues who came in support from other emergency situation inspectorates, remain mobilised to manage the effects of hydrometeorological phenomena and to protect the lives, property and affected infrastructure.

Official warnings

ISU Prahova urged residents to follow official instructions, avoid travel in affected areas, and monitor operational updates. The storms that struck on 19 and 20 July continue to pose risks as saturated slopes and blocked drainage channels leave several communities vulnerable to further flooding.