Severe thunderstorms have swept across Switzerland, causing significant disruptions just ahead of the National Day celebrations on August 1. Heavy rain and hail led to flooding in St.

Gallen, where over 50 mm of rain fell in just one hour, and power outages affected around 8,500 households in the Chur region due to suspected lightning strikes.

The official National Day event in Rorschach was abruptly canceled as storms rolled in, forcing attendees to evacuate the area.

In Uetendorf, a lightning strike ignited a fire in a two-family home, although no injuries were reported.

Meteorologists predict that the unsettled weather will continue into the National Day, with more rain and thunderstorms expected throughout the day.