2024-12-08 11:31:00
It will be all black! Around 50,000 homes remained without electricity on Sunday morning in Brittany and Normandy after the passage of storm Darragh, whose violent winds swept the western coast of France, electricity grid manager Enedis learned.
Brittany and several departments in Normandy were placed on orange alert for wind for the whole day on Saturday by Météo-France, which detected gusts of between 100 and 130 km/h on the coast.These violent winds caused numerous interruptions to the electricity grid,often linked to trees falling on the lines.
Railway lines suspended in Normandy
In Brittany, a total of 35,000 customers without electricity were registered as of 7.30 am by Enedis: 20,000 in Ille-et-Vilaine, 10,000 in Côtes-d’Armor, 4,000 in Finistère and 1,000 in Morbihan. In Normandy, according to an estimate made at 10 am, 15,000 families are affected, of which 7,000 in the Channel, 4,000 in Calvados and 3,000 in Seine-Maritime.
The winds remained strong on Sunday morning in the Normandy region, limiting the intervention capabilities of the technicians mobilized by Enedis. The manager underlines the danger of electric cables lying on the ground and reminds us to never touch them,just as you must not touch an object in contact with an electric line.
The Darragh storm also interrupted rail traffic along the entire western coast of France, particularly in Normandy, where as a precaution starting from Friday evening all lines were interrupted for Saturday and Sunday.
In Brittany there were numerous cancellations and delays on Saturday, but the situation seemed to improve on Sunday, with the exception of the Rennes-Morlaix line. Rail traffic is interrupted in both directions due to the fall of two trees and damage to the electrical systems caused by the storm, the SNCF informs.
How can residents prepare for future extreme weather events impacting transportation and power services?
Interview: Storm Darragh’s impact on Power and Transportation in France
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Claire bernard, an expert in climatology and energy infrastructure. We appreciate you joining us to discuss the aftermath of Storm Darragh and its implications for the region’s electricity and rail services.
Dr. Claire Bernard: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial topic, especially given the disruptions we’re experiencing in Brittany and Normandy right now.
Time.news Editor: To start, could you explain the extent of the impact Storm Darragh had on electricity services?
Dr.Claire Bernard: Certainly. As of Sunday morning, approximately 50,000 homes remained without electricity in Brittany and Normandy due to the storm’s violent winds, which reached gusts of 100 to 130 km/h. This significant disruption was largely caused by trees falling onto power lines, indicating the vulnerability of our electricity infrastructure to extreme weather events.
Time.news Editor: That’s alarming. With the infrastructure being so vulnerable, what steps can utilities like Enedis take to mitigate such impacts in the future?
Dr. Claire Bernard: Great question.Utilities need to invest in robust infrastructure capable of withstanding severe weather. This includes enhancing tree management practices near power lines and employing advanced weather prediction technologies. Additionally, more resilient grid systems can minimize outages and speed up recovery times when incidents do occur.
Time.news editor: Beyond electricity, we also saw severe disruptions in rail traffic as a result of the storm. Can you elaborate on how Storm darragh affected train services in Normandy?
dr. Claire Bernard: Of course. The storm led to the suspension of all railway lines in Normandy as a precaution. The falling trees not only halted services but also caused damage to electrical systems, complicating repairs and restoring normal operations. It’s a precise illustration of how interconnected our transport and utility systems are and how one major incident can have cascading effects.
Time.news Editor: This raises concerns for both commuters and transport services. what practical advice can you give to residents and travelers during such events?
Dr. Claire Bernard: Safety must be the priority. Residents should avoid any downed cables and report them instantly. It’s also wise to have an emergency kit ready, including flashlights and non-perishable food, in case power outages extend for several days. For travelers, staying informed through official channels like the SNCF and Météo-France for real-time updates is crucial to navigate cancellations or delays.
Time.news Editor: Looking at this situation from a broader outlook, what does Storm Darragh tell us about the increasing frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change?
Dr. Claire Bernard: Storm Darragh is part of a worrying trend. As climate change continues to disrupt weather patterns, we can expect more frequent and intense storms. This should alarm both the public and policymakers and prompt discussions on emergency preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and climate adaptation strategies.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, dr. Bernard, for sharing your insights. It’s evident that events like Storm Darragh not only underscore the challenges we face but also highlight the need for proactive measures in our energy and transportation sectors.
Dr. Claire Bernard: Thank you for having me.It’s vital to keep these conversations going as we prepare for the future.