1 dead in Romania in a powerful storm after intense heatwave

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A powerful storm struck Romania ’s capital overnight into Wednesday, killing one person and causing flooding in 20 counties following an intense heatwave.

The torrential storm hit 60 localities, and emergency services pumped water from more than 350 houses and 100 streets, according to the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations, or IGSU.

The hardest-hit areas were the capital’s municipality of Bucharest and neighboring Ilfov County, where one person died when a tree fell on their car. Emergency services received more than 2,200 requests for help. Rescuers and resources such as trucks, water pumps and chainsaws were deployed from other counties.

The IGSU said 988 trees fell during the storm, and 495 cars were damaged.

Like much of Europe, Romania has been gripped by a heatwave this week, with temperatures in some areas forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit).

On Wednesday, the National Meteorological Administration warned that “atmospheric instability” would bring torrential rains and thunderstorms to the western and southern parts of the country.