France experienced an exceptional night of violent weather, waking to widespread damage from Storm Gorty , which swept through the northwest at record speed. The powerful storm left nearly 380,000 homes without power, plunging large areas into darkness, after wind speeds reached record highs of 200 kilometers per hour – a rare occurrence that places this storm among the strongest to hit the country in recent years.
Material losses and limited injuries
Despite the destructive force of the winds, which uprooted numerous trees and blew away parts of buildings and infrastructure, the human toll was relatively reassuring. According to the initial assessment issued by the French Ministry of the Interior, only six minor injuries were recorded, reflecting the success of the advance warnings issued by the authorities to citizens to exercise caution.
Maritime disturbances and coastal hazards
In Brittany, the peninsula extending deep into the Atlantic Ocean and often France's first line of defense against Atlantic storms, the scene was terrifying. Meteorological agencies recorded giant waves, ranging from 10 to 13 meters in height, battering coastal areas, posing a serious threat to maritime navigation and homes near the beaches, and prompting a full mobilization of emergency and rescue teams.
Paralysis in the transport and communications sector
The storm's damage wasn't limited to the electricity grid; it extended to the vital transport sector. In northern France, train services were almost entirely suspended today, with very limited exceptions, to ensure passenger safety and prevent accidents caused by trees falling on the tracks. Rail services are expected to gradually resume in the Normandy and Brittany regions this afternoon, once the tracks have been deemed safe.
The storm also affected the greater Paris region, as well as the Alsace and Lorraine regions to the east, reflecting its wide geographical reach. As a precaution, authorities decided to keep schools closed in the Manche and Seine-Maritime regions to protect students from any potential risks during their commutes.
General context and government warnings
This storm comes amid a climate trend of increasingly frequent extreme weather events across Europe, with experts linking the intensity of these storms to global climate change. French authorities had issued urgent and strongly worded warnings in anticipation of the storm, urging citizens to stay indoors and only go out when absolutely necessary. These measures significantly contributed to minimizing casualties, even though the storm's intensity later subsided.
