Storm Ciarán recently swept across France and England, causing disruption and damage. With hurricane-strength winds and heavy rainfall, affecting millions of people, knocking out power grids, and forcing the closure of schools and transportation routes.
Also Read: Hurricane Otis: Nearly 100 People Dead or Missing in Mexico
Storm Ciarán, with wind speeds reaching over 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour), made landfall in France, specifically in the department of Finistère in the northwest.
The storm’s intensity was so severe that it broke several local records, leaving destruction. At least one person in France lost their life as a result of the storm.
This individual was struck by a falling branch while driving. 1.2 million people in France were left without power due to the destruction caused by the storm.
Fallen trees, branches, and electrical and telephone lines littered the road network.Brittany, in northwestern France, was one of the worst-hit regions, with around 780,000 residents facing power outages.
Fallen trees and uprooted electricity pylons were identified as the causes of these power cuts. French energy supplier Enedis quickly mobilized approximately 3,000 workers and 30 helicopters to restore power to the affected areas.
The storm had an impact on transportation and infrastructure. Local trains in western France were canceled, and roads in the Finistère region of Brittany were closed due to the extreme weather conditions.
French Transport Minister Clément Beaune addressed the need for caution and discouraged driving in affected areas, as fallen trees and other debris created hazardous conditions.
The United Kingdom experienced the full force of Storm Ciarán. The British Isles and Channel Islands were placed under red alert warnings as the storm approached.
Also Read: Storm Ciarán: Flood Warnings in Place as UK Braces for Heavy Rain
In Jersey, all schools and the airport were closed, while in Cornwall, around 8,500 people were left without power, and more than 100 schools had to be closed. The local media captured images of waves crashing into and breaching sea walls in Cornwall.
The United Kingdom’s Met Office issued warnings that the combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall posed a “danger to life” as flying debris and falling trees threatened homes and infrastructure.
Large waves were predicted to damage coastal roads and properties, leading to concerns about flooding. The aftermath of the storm was characterized by travel disruption, with several rail companies warning commuters to avoid traveling, even in the capital.
Although the Met Office noted that the storm’s path had shifted further south than initially projected, the winds were expected to affect coastal areas.
The disruption caused by Storm Ciarán came just weeks after Storm Babet, which brought destructive winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding to various parts of the United Kingdom.
As the Earth’s atmosphere warms, it becomes capable of holding more water vapor, resulting in more intense rainfall when storms hit.
Also Read: Cyclone Hamoon: Bangladesh and 7 States in India on High Alert
Experts, such as Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, have said that climate change contributes to the severity of autumn and winter storms.
The rainfall associated with these storms becomes more severe, and storm surges are higher due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The scientific consensus is clear, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more rainfall. Each degree Celsius of global warming is associated with a 7% increase in rainfall.
Heavier rain not only causes more damage but also contributes to more damaging storm surges. In France, the impact of Storm Ciarán was particularly severe.
The department of Finistère in the northwest bore the brunt of the storm, with wind speeds exceeding 120 kilometers per hour. Fallen trees and power outages disrupted daily life for thousands of residents.
The response from French authorities and energy suppliers, such as Enedis, demonstrated the importance of quick action to restore power and address the immediate consequences of the storm.
The United Kingdom also faced challenges because of the Storm Ciarán. Southern England and the Channel Islands were the most affected areas, with flooding and power outages. The closure of schools and transportation routes added to the disruption caused by the storm.
Also Read: Hurricane Otis Makes Landfall in Mexico as a Category 5 Storm
Top Sources Related to Storm Ciarán Hits France and England, Leaving Millions Without Power (For R&D)
/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/OAE7OIFW5BMVXORMVZLRTM6K6U.jpg)
Sources Related to Floods in Last 3 Months Around the World (For R&D)
- China floods: Xi Jinping urges action as rains kill 15 and displace thousands
- At Least 1 Dead as Heavy Rains Set Off Flash Flooding in New York
- Mongolia – Floods
- Assam Floods: About 18,000 People Suffer From Terrible Flood In Dhemaji District
- At least 50 dead in Pakistan monsoon floods since end of June
- New Delhi Floods: Deadly Monsoon Rains, leaving 15 Dead
- Japan Floods: Heavy Rains Causes Floods and Landslides, 1 Dead
- South Korea Floods: At Least 26 Dead and Over 1000 Evacuated
- Central Russia:10 Dead, Including 3 Children as Strong Winds hit Tourist Camp
- Typhoon Doksuri: Beijing’s Heaviest Rain in a Decade Kills at Least 11
- Slovenia Floods: At least 2 Dead, Forcing Evacuations
- Georgia: 11 Killed in Landslide at Mountain Resort Town of Shovi
- Alaska: Houses Swept Away by Glacial Floods in Juneau
- Nepal: At Least 38 Killed, Several Missing in Floods And Landslides
- China: 21 Killed, 6 Missing After Mudslide in Xi’an
- Hurricane Hilary hits California after Lashing Mexico
- Pakistan: Floods Force Evacuation of Almost 100,000 People
- Himachal Pradesh Landslide: 8 buildings Collapsed in Kullu
- Hurricane Idalia Makes Landfall in Florida and Georgia
- Typhoon Saola Threatens China with Category 4 Winds
- Typhoon Haikui: More than 4,000 People were Evacuated
- Brazil Cyclone Kills At Least 31 and Leaves Over 1,600 Homeless
- Dangerous Hurricane Lee Forecast to Become Category 5
- Hong Kong Flooded by Heaviest Rains in 140 Years
- Storm Daniel: At least 2,000 Dead and 10,000 Missing in Libya
- Hurricane Lee Makes Landfall in Canada, 1 dead in US
- Tornado in Eastern China Kills 10 and 4 Others Injured
- Storm Agnes Set to Bring 80mph Winds and Heavy Rain
- New York Declares State of Emergency Amid Flash Flooding
- Sikkim Flash Floods: At Least 10 Dead and 23 Army Missing
Sai Kishore, a journalist and photographer, has a portfolio of covering some of the most challenging and impactful events. His reporting includes war zones, where he’s captured the stories of courage amidst conflict. He’s also a reporter about the world of crime, especially on crucial investigative matters. Documenting events like devastating floods and powerful earthquakes, helping convey the scale of these disasters. To reach out for inquiries, contact him at: saikishore@wikikiki.com