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Storm Ciaran Ravages Western Europe with Record Winds, Leaving Millions in Darkness

by Madison Thomas
8 comments
fokus keyword: Storm Ciaran

Storm Ciaran unleashed its fury on western Europe, with France particularly bearing the brunt of its record-breaking winds. The aftermath saw at least four fatalities, several injured, and millions without power, as the storm wreaked havoc from Wednesday night into Thursday.

France’s northern Atlantic coastline experienced winds surpassing 190 kilometers per hour (118 mph), leading to uprooted trees and shattered windows. An unfortunate incident in Aisne, northern France, resulted in the death of a truck driver when a tree collided with his vehicle. Transport Minister Clement Beaune confirmed the incident. Simultaneously, in Roubaix, a university-related accident left one critically injured, with 15 more injuries reported in western and northern parts of France. Notably, seven of the injured were emergency personnel.

Coastal areas in France saw enormous waves crashing into ports, while strong winds caused destruction to street signs and roofs. Tree blockages disrupted road traffic in western France, as reported by Big Big News journalists and corroborated by images on various French media platforms and social networks.

As the storm intensified, about 1.2 million households in France found themselves without electricity, as confirmed by electrical utility Enedis. Brittany, one of the hardest-hit regions, had almost half of its households in darkness. Enedis pledged the deployment of 3,000 workers to reinstate power as soon as conditions permit.

Other areas in France, like the Normandy coast, experienced wind speeds of 96 mph (160 kph), and 90 mph (150 kph) inland. The inclement weather forced fishing crews ashore and led to the closure of public spaces like forests, parks, and beachfronts in specific regions. Beaune appealed to the public to exercise utmost caution and restrict travel in weather-alerted zones, emphasizing the perilous nature of the roads under such conditions.

In neighboring Spain, the storm brought with it torrential rains and strong winds. Madrid’s emergency services reported the death of a woman due to a falling tree, with three others sustaining minor injuries. The storm’s impact led to the closure of parks and the cancellation of several transport services.

Belgium too felt the storm’s impact. A tragic event in central Ghent led to the death of an individual due to a falling tree. Antwerp saw another injured critically when a wall succumbed to the unyielding winds.

Germany issued storm warnings for its North Sea coast, with other regions also on high alert. A woman tragically lost her life in Rammelsberg due to a falling tree.

The United Kingdom was not spared either. Thousands faced power outages, with violent gusts causing extensive damage. Coastal communities in Cornwall and Devon saw schools remain shut. Commuters faced disruptions due to fallen trees and floods. The Port of Dover halted sailings, urging tourists to stay away. The potential for inland flooding remained high, with England receiving 82 flood warnings and 197 flood alerts.

The Channel Islands bore witness to wind speeds of over 160 kph (100 mph), resulting in extensive damage. Flights were canceled, and Jersey residents reported significant damages to property.

In the Netherlands, several individuals were injured due to falling trees. National airline KLM suspended all flights for the day due to the anticipated strong winds. The national headwind cycling championship, scheduled to be held in such stormy conditions, had its permit revoked due to the severity of the winds.

Forecasters predict the storm’s center to shift eastwards as the day progresses.

Contributors to this report include Angela Charlton from Paris, Danica Kirka and Ed Davey from London, Raf Casert from Brussels, Geir Moulson from Berlin, Ciaran Giles from Madrid, Aleksandar Furtula from Neeltje Jans, Netherlands, and Mike Corder from The Hague.

For continued climate coverage, visit Big Big News – Climate and Environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: Storm Ciaran

What areas were most affected by Storm Ciaran in Western Europe?

Answer: France’s northern Atlantic coastline, Spain, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Channel Islands were among the most affected regions.

How did Storm Ciaran impact France specifically?

Answer: France experienced record-breaking winds of over 190 kilometers per hour, leading to uprooted trees, shattered windows, several injuries, and about 1.2 million households without electricity.

Were there any fatalities reported due to the storm?

Answer: Yes, the storm resulted in multiple fatalities across Western Europe, including a truck driver in northern France, a woman in Madrid due to a falling tree, an individual in central Ghent, Belgium due to a tree fall, and a woman in Rammelsberg, Germany also due to a falling tree.

How did the storm affect transportation in the affected regions?

Answer: The storm caused major disruptions in transportation, with local trains canceled in parts of France, roads blocked by fallen trees, parks and public spaces closed, and many flights, including those by the Dutch national airline KLM, canceled.

What measures were taken by utility and emergency services in response to the storm?

Answer: Electrical utility Enedis in France pledged to deploy 3,000 workers to restore power. In various regions, emergency services responded to injuries, damages, and other incidents caused by the storm. Many local authorities also issued warnings and closed public areas.

Was the United Kingdom affected by Storm Ciaran?

Answer: Yes, thousands in the UK faced power outages, and violent gusts caused extensive damage, including blowing roofs off buildings. Schools in certain areas remained closed, and there were disruptions in transportation due to fallen trees and floods.

How did the storm impact the Netherlands?

Answer: Several individuals in the Netherlands were injured due to falling trees. The national airline KLM suspended all flights due to anticipated strong winds. The national headwind cycling championship was also impacted as its permit was revoked due to the severe winds.

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8 comments

Anna K. November 2, 2023 - 4:14 pm

my cousin lives in Roubaix. She said it’s the worst she’s ever seen. trees everywhere on the roads.

Reply
Lisa B. November 2, 2023 - 6:52 pm

oh no! Feeling so sad for all those affected. Hope everyone’s safe out there and takes precautions.

Reply
Tara O. November 3, 2023 - 3:26 am

Did anyone else see the images from the Channel Islands? it looked like something out of a disaster movie. so scary.

Reply
Mike P. November 3, 2023 - 4:44 am

Just read about this on another site too, its crazy whats happening with the weather these days. climate change?

Reply
James H. November 3, 2023 - 5:47 am

Wow, that’s some serious wind. never heard of speeds like that before especially in France.

Reply
Molly T. November 3, 2023 - 8:50 am

Stay safe everyone. these storms aren’t to be taken lightly. We learned that the hard way last year.

Reply
Chris L. November 3, 2023 - 8:54 am

I live in UK and our power’s out. been out for hours. Not looking forward to the night. 🙁

Reply
George W. November 3, 2023 - 2:43 pm

Can’t believe the cycling event was still going on in the netherlands! Some people are mad I guess.

Reply

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