On Sunday 5 June 2022, in the early afternoon, a strong gust of wind accompanied by heavy rain and hail caused extensive damage in the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Valley.
On RD 1 506 road, traffic was cut off by rock and trees
Due to the violent thunderstorms, the firefighters had to intervene nearly 10 times between Saint-Gervais and the Chamonix Valley.
According to Le Dauphine, a strong gust of wind, hail and rain precipitation caused the fall of several trees and a rock on the RD 1 506 road in Chamonix, more precisely on the road to La Poya (Les Tines) between Chamonix and Argentière.
Traffic was completely cut off, and the instability of the ground just above, prompted Town and Department technical teams to conduct tests to ensure the safety of the site before a potential reopening. The road was reopened to traffic at 10 p.m.
In the evening, special trains were set up to allow stranded people to return home or return to their holiday accommodation.
Power cables have been disconnected
Cables from the power grid were cut by the falling trees, depriving of electricity 450 customers of the hamlets from Le Lavancher, Le Grassonnet, Les Grands Montets and part of the hamlet of Le Tour. Three generators have been set up by Enedis services.
Rail traffic between Chamonix and Martigny has been halted
Rail traffic has also been disrupted. Falling trees in the hamlet of Coverays have cut off the Chamonix - Martigny line (Switzerland).
The affected passengers were taken care of by the SNCF services and returned to Chamonix.
At the Fayet thermal park, a tree has crashed into a car
At the Fayet thermal park, a tree fell on a car with four people in it, fortunately none of them were injured.
Flooding of cellars in Les Houches and falling trees on the roadway in Servoz have been reported throughout the early afternoon.
Two family members, a child and an adult, were injured by hail in Montenvers. The storm was localized, as Sallanches firefighters were less stressed.
Firefighters continue to recommend extreme vigilance on roads and forest trails, where fragile branches could still fall.
Source: @Le Dauphiné Libéré
