Storm Goretti swept through northern and eastern parts of France, causing widespread disruption on Tuesday evening and overnight. France’s national weather service Meteo France placed 32 departments under an “orange alert” due to the risk of strong winds.
Wind speeds exceeded 200 kilometres per hour in several areas, reaching a peak of 213 km/h in Gatteville, northern France. The country’s electricity grid operator Enedis said power outages affected around 380,000 households nationwide, particularly in Normandy.
The Interior Ministry reported that six people were slightly injured as a result of the storm. Train services were cancelled in several northern regions, and flooding was reported in coastal towns such as Etretat and Fecamp. In Cayeux-sur-Mer, water levels reached up to 40 centimetres in some neighbourhoods.
In Pas-de-Calais, 43 uprooted trees blocked roads, while in Roncherolles-sur-le-Vivier a 45-metre tree fell onto five houses. Seventeen residents were temporarily evacuated in Seine-Maritime, and schools in several departments, including Manche, were closed for one day as a precaution.
Authorities said emergency and repair teams remain on high alert as strong winds continue in 21 departments.
source: AA
