Extremely strong storms swept through the Czech Republic.

Extreme weather conditions swept through the Beskids and other parts of the Czech Republic on Wednesday, bringing torrential rains, high winds, and localized flooding that disrupted transportation, power supplies, and daily life. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ), the most intense storms occurred in areas including Novojičínsko, Ostrava, and Bohumín, where rainfall reached approximately 40 millimeters per half hour, accompanied by wind gusts of around 90 kilometers per hour. These severe weather phenomena caused significant disruptions throughout the day, affecting both road traffic and electricity distribution.

In the vicinity of Velké Karlovice in the Vsetín region, nearly 100 liters of water fell per square meter within less than two hours during one of the storms. This led to emergency responses from local firefighters, who recorded 31 interventions in the area. The level of the Vsetín Bečva river rose to the third flood alert level, reaching 241 centimeters—far above its usual height of about 90 centimeters. Although the water level later dropped to 191 centimeters, the situation still required vigilance as the first flood alert remained in effect. In Karolinka, hail was also reported, while a supercell formed over the Přerov region.

Firefighters began responding to incidents related to the storms around 4:30 PM, and after three hours, the situation gradually stabilized. Across ten cases, they removed fallen trees, pumped water from basements and garages, and cleared blocked roads. Their efforts were concentrated mainly in Velké Karlovice, Karolinka, Vsetín, and Rožnov pod Radhoštěm. Additionally, train services between Halenkov and Velké Karlovice were suspended due to the storm's impact.

The storms also affected energy supply networks, leaving thousands of households without electricity. According to ČEZ, there were sixteen faults on high-voltage lines, resulting in 2,300 homes being without power. The highest number of affected households, 1,200, were in the Central Bohemian Region, particularly in the Mělník and Kladno districts. Other regions affected included Karlovy Vary, Děčín, and Rychnov. Distribution company EG.D reported problems initially not detected but later emerging in Rantířov on the Jihlava region, where approximately 1,200 customers lost their electricity supply.

On the railway network, storms knocked down trees onto overhead lines in the Jihlava region, causing delays in train operations between Kostelce u Jihlavy and Rantířov. Initially, Czech Railways anticipated restoring service by 8 PM, but this was later pushed back to early Thursday morning. Firefighters were removing fallen trees from roads in the region until around 1 PM.

The impact of these storms extended beyond the immediate effects on infrastructure. Five children and an adult man were hospitalized after being struck by lightning at a summer camp in Jindřichohradec. Meanwhile, the extreme heat experienced earlier in the week contributed to the intensity of the subsequent storms. June 2026 was recorded as the third hottest June since records began in 1961, with average temperatures reaching 19.1 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees above the normal range. This period saw temperatures frequently exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, with nine days recording maximum temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius.

As the storms subsided, meteorologists warned that the risk of sudden heavy rain with rapid runoff from slopes, quick drainage of small streams, and flooding of low-lying areas remained high. They emphasized the potential for flash floods, which could cause further damage to property and disrupt communication routes. Despite these warnings, the forecast suggested that the weather would become calmer towards the end of the week, offering some relief to affected communities.