Storm Goretti Leaves Tens of Thousands in France Without Power After Battering Winds

Widespread Power Outages and Record Winds Across France

Storm Goretti, which impacted France on January 8-9, has left tens of thousands of households without electricity. Initially, approximately 380,000 homes across the country experienced power outages, according to French grid operator Enedis. As of January 11, around 92,000 households were still awaiting power restoration.

The storm brought exceptionally strong winds, with a record gust of 213 kilometers per hour recorded in Gatteville in the Manche department. Other significant wind speeds included 148 km/h in Cherbourg and 146 km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The regions most severely affected include Normandy and Brittany, alongside departments such as Manche, Calvados, Seine-Maritime, Eure, and Orne, and parts of Île-de-France.

Infrastructure Damage and Restoration Efforts

Beyond power cuts, Storm Goretti caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Over 400 mobile network antennas in Normandy went offline, and fallen trees blocked numerous roads and damaged power lines. Coastal areas experienced significant impact, with waves reaching heights of 10 to 13 meters off the coast of Brittany and flooding up to 40 centimeters in streets in Cayeux-sur-Mer in the Somme department.

In response, Enedis activated its Rapid Electricity Response Team and mobilized substantial resources, including 1,600 technicians and 650 contracted staff. Reinforcements from across France were deployed to the hardest-hit areas, particularly Brittany and Normandy, to accelerate restoration efforts.

Travel Disruptions and Safety Measures

The storm led to widespread travel disruptions. SNCF, France's national rail operator, suspended numerous train services, notably between Paris and Normandy, and also affected TER services in Normandy and Hauts-de-France. RER lines in the Paris region also experienced disruptions due to fallen trees. As a precautionary measure, all schools, colleges, and high schools in the Manche and Seine-Maritime departments were closed, and school transportation services were suspended.

Météo-France had issued orange alerts for a third of the country, with a red alert specifically for the Manche department, urging residents to stay indoors and prepare for emergencies. The Interior Ministry reported at least six minor injuries nationwide, with one individual seriously hurt after falling from a roof while attempting repairs, and 27 others sustaining minor injuries. While significant, the storm's impact on power outages was less severe than that of Storm Ciarán in 2023, which affected 1.2 million households.