A powerful storm with hurricane-force winds and torrential rain struck Russia’s Rostov region on the evening of 25 July, killing one person and triggering a state of emergency in the city of Rostov-on-Don and two other districts. Mayor Alexander Skryabin confirmed the fatality and said 28 people were injured, while Governor Yuri Slyusar later reported that 51 people had sought medical assistance, with 11, including a child, remaining in hospital.

The storm felled more than 1,000 trees in Rostov alone, damaged 14 kindergartens and 16 schools, and caused over 100 breaks in the overhead contact network for electric public transport. Power outages affected 102 settlements across 14 municipalities, leaving tens of thousands without electricity. Water supply was cut to 42,000 residents in several districts, though Skryabin said water service was largely restored by the morning of 26 July.

Rail traffic was severely disrupted after the storm triggered an emergency shutdown of traction substations and automatic train control systems. The North Caucasus Railway initially reported 89 delayed passenger trains, a figure that later rose to 111, according to Russian Railways. Maximum delays reached eight hours. Eight trains to and from Crimea were also affected, operator Grand Service Express said. Passengers on trains delayed more than four hours were provided with meals.

Municipal emergency regimes were introduced in Rostov-on-Don, Volgodonsk and Chertkovsky districts, with heightened readiness declared in several others. More than 600 personnel and 200 units of equipment, including 20 additional crews from neighbouring regions, were deployed for round-the-clock restoration work. The regional emergencies ministry warned that the storm warning remained in effect for 26–27 July.