Key Points
- Storm Goretti leaves approximately 380,000 households without electricity in northern France
- Gusts exceeding 200 kph disrupt transport and damage infrastructure
- Outages concentrated in Normandy, Brittany, and the surrounding regions
- Emergency crews are working to restore power as weather warnings remain
ISLAMABAD: A major winter storm swept across northern France on Friday, cutting electricity to around 380,000 households and causing widespread disruption, authorities said. French power provider Énedis reported that most outages were concentrated in the Normandy and Brittany regions, with additional impacts in Picardy and the surrounding area of Paris.
Storm Goretti brought gusts exceeding 200 kilometres per hour, toppling trees and power lines and prompting authorities to advise residents to remain indoors and prepare for emergencies. Transport networks were also affected, with train services between Paris and Normandy suspended and flights delayed or cancelled in some northern airports.
Northern France is no stranger to severe winter storms, and this system follows a series of high-wind events across Europe in recent months. Forecasters said Storm Goretti is part of a larger weather front sweeping across northern Europe, with neighbouring countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany also experiencing high winds and heavy rainfall.
Emergency crews worked through the morning to restore electricity and clear debris from blocked roads. Authorities urged caution as meteorological agencies continued to issue warnings for strong winds and hazardous conditions, stressing that power restoration may take several days in the worst-hit areas.
