France is facing the devastating impact of Storm Ciaran, a meteorological event of exceptional scale which hit the northwest of the country, causing dramatic consequences and major disruptions.
Winds of incredible violence
The departments of Côtes d’Armor and Manche were most recently affected by stormy winds, with gusts which decreased slightly in intensity in the west of Brittany, still reaching 110 to 120 km/h. Last night, gusts were recorded at staggering speeds, up to 200 km/h, breaking many historical records.
Human toll and reactions from the authorities
The human toll is heavy: several deaths have been reported in Europe, including that of a 5-year-old child in Belgium. In France, a 72-year-old man tragically lost his life in Le Havre after being blown away by the wind while trying to close his shutters. The Minister of the Interior reported one death in Aisne and 15 injured, including 7 firefighters. The authorities have implemented the FR-Alert system to communicate directly with the population and limit human damage.
Consequences on infrastructure and measures taken
- Traffic : Finistère has seen the majority of its roads closed to traffic until further notice to allow repair operations.
- Transport disrupted: The Minister of Transport has warned of possible disruptions in road and rail transport, particularly in Brittany, Normandy and Hauts-de-France.
- Power cuts : Nearly 1.2 million homes were left without electricity, with considerable damage to electrical infrastructure.
Remarkable records and phenomena
- Wind memories: Exceptional gusts were recorded, with speeds that exceeded usual measurements, notably in Plougonvelin in Finistère where the wind reached 193 km/h.
- Giant wave: A spectacular wave more than 21 meters high was measured off the coast of Finistère, equivalent to the height of a six-story building.
Catalonia also affected by Ciaran’s fury
Storm Ciaran did not spare our southern neighbors, leaving behind scenes of devastation in Catalonia. Local authorities have recorded extreme weather events, with notable consequences on daily life and infrastructure.
- Powerful bursts: Violent winds were measured, with a gust reaching 123 km/h in Portbou.
- Breaking waves: The sea was tumultuous, with an impressive wave of 6.6 meters in Begur.
- Emergency response: Fire services were called upon numerous times to respond to storm-related emergencies.
Catalonia faces these challenges with resilience, as emergency teams work around the clock to restore order and security in affected areas.
Call for vigilance and solidarity
The Minister of the Interior praised the commitment of state agents, in particular the firefighters, who carried out nearly 1,900 interventions. He calls for increased vigilance while the storm is not yet over in certain departments.
Storm Ciaran will go down in history as one of the most violent climatic phenomena in recent years, reminding us of the force of nature and the need for adequate preparation for such events.
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