Trees fell and streets flooded across North Macedonia’s capital Skopje on the afternoon of July 1, as a strong summer storm swept through the city, causing major traffic jams just as people were heading home from work.

After a string of hot and very warm days, heavy rain arrived suddenly and quickly caused serious problems across the city, overwhelming drainage systems and catching many commuters in the middle of their journey home.

One of the worst-hit points was Srbija Boulevard, a key route linking the Aerodrom and Kisela Voda neighbourhoods. Within minutes, the road transformed into a huge stretch of water, with some sections resembling a shallow lake. Water levels rose so high that traffic became impossible in both directions, leaving long queues of vehicles stranded.

Trucks and tankers, which regularly rely on this corridor for industrial and supply transport, added to the congestion. Several heavy vehicles were left stuck on the roadway itself, unable to push through the flooded section, effectively blocking what little movement remained. Police officers were deployed to redirect drivers and prevent further entry into the submerged stretch.

Eyewitnesses described confusion among motorists as the situation escalated quickly. “I don’t understand why drivers are still using this direction when there is already a warning that the street is completely impassable,” said a passerby.

Some drivers attempted to manoeuvre around the flooded areas by driving on pavements and in the opposite direction, in violation of traffic regulations, in order to reach their destinations.

Across social media, Skopje residents shared images and short clips showing submerged streets, stalled cars, and pedestrians navigating through waterlogged intersections. Many also reported flooded basements and ground-floor spaces, especially in lower-lying residential buildings.

The storm’s impact was not limited to major roads. In the Aerodrom neighbourhood, strong winds brought down a tree, splitting it and causing it to fall in front of a residential block. No injuries were reported.

Other districts experienced similar conditions. In the Centar municipality, Jordan Mijalkov street became difficult to pass, with drivers forced to slow down significantly or reroute entirely due to accumulating water. In Čair municipality, one vehicle became fully trapped in floodwater, while parts of Butel also saw temporary road closures as rain continued to fall.

Municipal authorities moved quickly to respond. The City of Skopje Crisis Headquarters, together with public enterprises and relevant institutions, has been fully mobilised, ready to respond to any flooding, damage or emergencies.

“Through a swift, timely and coordinated response, we prevented more serious consequences from the storm that hit Skopje. Teams from the City of Skopje and public enterprises remain on alert, fully mobilised and active on the ground," mayor of Skopje, Orce Gjorgjievski, said in a Facebook post. He added that city teams will remain active throughout the night.

While the rain briefly brought relief from high temperatures, it instead left behind flooded streets, disrupted traffic, and a reminder of how quickly urban infrastructure can be overwhelmed by extreme weather.