Storm Kirk Causes Widespread Disruption Across France
Storm Kirk has wreaked havoc across France, leaving thousands without power and prompting multiple flood alerts. As of Friday morning, approximately 9,000 homes were still without electricity, particularly in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Doubs regions. The storm's impact peaked earlier this week, with over 64,000 homes affected at one point, according to Enedis, the national electricity distribution manager.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that over 5,800 rescue operations were conducted nationwide, with the majority occurring in the West and the Paris region. Tragically, one person was seriously injured and eleven others suffered minor injuries during the storm's onslaught. Prime Minister Michel Barnier noted that 3,700 rescue interventions were reported by midday Thursday, highlighting the scale of the crisis.
In Seine-et-Marne, the region remains under a red flood alert due to the risk of significant flooding on the Grand Morin River. Authorities have suspended school transport and evacuated homes in precautionary measures. The prefecture has assured that water levels are stable, but inspections of canal banks are still needed before lifting the alerts.
The storm has also caused disruptions in transport, with localized traffic interruptions reported by SNCF, the French railway operator. Heavy rains led to flooding on major roads, including the A11 motorway, and several rail lines faced interruptions due to fallen trees and flooding.
Meteorologists have warned that such severe weather events may become more frequent due to climate change. The Minister for Ecological Transition, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, emphasized the need for caution as the country faces increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Gusts of wind reaching up to 211 km/h were recorded in the Pyrenees, further complicating the recovery efforts.
