From heatwave to storms
Authorities have issued numerous RO-ALERT messages for storms that have hit the capital Bucharest and a number of counties.
Corina Cristea, 01.07.2026, 14:00
Severe storms struck Bucharest and several counties in Romania following recent temperatures of up to 41 degrees Celsius. The weather caused significant property damage and claimed one life when a falling tree crushed a car. In Bucharest, it rained continuously for two hours. Images posted on social media by local residents show flooded streets, trees down, and cars abandoned in the middle of deep puddles. Police restricted traffic on two central boulevards in the capital where a building’s roof was at risk of collapsing. In the same area, gale-force winds completely ripped off another roof.
Heavy rainfall and severe water infiltration also flooded the tracks at a Bucharest metro station, forcing a temporary closure to ensure passenger safety until emergency crews could clear the water. Additionally, several public transit lines faced severe delays or detours due to flooded roadways, downed power lines, and storm debris. Overall data indicates that Bucharest firefighters responded to approximately 1,500 emergencies overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, working around the clock to remove dozens of fallen trees from cars and streets, and to pump water out of flooded basements.
According to a press release from the General Inspectorate for Emergencies (IGSU), the severe storms impacted 60 localities across 20 counties in addition to Bucharest, including Alba, Bihor, Călăraşi, Hunedoara, Ilfov, Sibiu, and Tulcea. Emergency crews worked to clear nearly 1,000 fallen trees and dozens of utility poles, remove debris from damaged roofs, and pump water out of flooded yards and basements. Hundreds of vehicles were damaged, and rail transit stalled on three main lines due to power grid failures and debris blocking the tracks.
To keep citizens informed, authorities issued dozens of RO-ALERT emergency messages across Bucharest and 28 counties. These storms collided with a massive heatwave that has gripped Romania for days. Following a rare red alert for extreme heat across most of the country, meteorologists predict the heatwave will contract and lose intensity. An orange alert for high temperatures remains in place for northern and western regions, while the rest of the country is under a yellow alert. Meanwhile, a yellow warning for storms and heavy rainfall was issued for southern Romania, including Bucharest, as well as mountainous areas. Hydrologists have also issued flood warnings for several rivers, primarily in the west. (EE)
