A severe thunderstorm in the French department of the Atlantic Pyrenees caused significant damage to the elite red pepper crops, particularly in the villages of Itsasu, Ainhoa and Asparren, on June 20, 2023. The storm dropped a month's worth of rain in a few hours, along with gale-force winds, hail, and marked on the map as an 'orange' level threat in 22 departments. The storm also disrupted infrastructure, including electricity supply and transportation, in neighboring regions. The espelette pepper, a crucial ingredient in local cuisine and economy, was severely damaged. The storm also impacted the production of Bayonne ham, marmitaco, local cheeses, and chocolate, as the pepper is used in their preparation.