Storm kills one in Romania, floods Bucharest metro and homes

A powerful overnight storm flooded Bucharest’s metro system, damaged homes and vehicles, and killed one person in neighboring Ilfov County after a day of extreme heat had already strained Romania’s cities and power network. Emergency services handled more than 2,200 requests for help in the capital as water, fallen trees and blocked roads spread across the metropolitan area.

The storm affected Bucharest and 20 counties, with damage in 60 localities. Firefighters pumped water from more than 350 houses and 100 streets as crews raced to clear debris and restore access to neighborhoods hit by sudden flooding. In Bucharest and Ilfov County, the hardest-hit areas, a person died when a tree fell on their car.

Transit was among the most visible failures. Several metro stations in Bucharest flooded, adding to commuter disruption and forcing emergency crews to work around waterlogged underground infrastructure while tackling damage above ground. One station was temporarily closed after flooding.

The rainfall was intense enough to overwhelm local drainage systems. Bucharest received 69.9 liters per square meter in about 10 hours, more than 92% of the city’s average monthly June rainfall. Apa Nova deployed 212 specialists, along with 36 sewer-cleaning vehicles, 42 utility vehicles and 28 pumping units, to manage the runoff and keep water from backing up further into streets and buildings.

The storm followed two days of extreme heat, with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Romania. That heat pushed power consumption higher before the storm arrived. The General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations counted 988 trees that fell during the storm and 495 damaged cars. With rescue teams and equipment brought in from other counties, the response stretched across both the capital and surrounding regions.