Storm darragh, which hit the west coast of France on Saturday, has severely disrupted rail traffic, with many lines suspended as a precaution in the affected regions, according to the SNCF.
Nine departments in northwestern France, from Morbihan to Pas-de-Calais, were placed on orange alert for wind on Saturday morning by Météo France, as were Aude and the Pyrenees Orientales. In its bulletin updated at 4pm, the organization has however downgraded Morbihan, Seine-Maritime, Somme and Pas-de-Calais to yellow vigilance. A total of seven departments remained on orange alert (Finistère, Côtes d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, manche, calvados, Aude and Pyrenees Orientales).
The strong gusts of wind already measured on Saturday in Brittany (148 km/h on the island of Groix in the Morbihan) and in Normandy (117 km/h in Gonneville in the Channel) shoudl also be felt as far as the Île-de -France -France in the afternoon, forcing the organizers of the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris to revise their plans and retreat inside the cathedral.
Cancellations and disruptions also reported in the Pays-de-la-Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions
Since Friday evening, the Normandy region had warned that there would be “no rail traffic” on its territory on saturday and Sunday due to strong winds from Storm Darragh. “To ensure the safety of travelers and staff, SNCF Réseau has decided to completely suspend rail traffic,” the Nomad network announced on its X account.
⛔️NO TRAIN TRAFFIC⛔️
🗓️From Saturday 7 December and Sunday 8 December
🌬️Storm Darragh is underway with severe storms.
Strong gusts of wind were recorded this morning @meteoFrance In @RegionNormandie with peaks of up to 130km/h on the coasts,… https://t.co/Gn9hjTeiWL— SNCF TRAIN NOMAD (@train_nomad) December 7,2024
Also in Brittany a “total interruption” of traffic was decided on some lines (from Rennes to the Breton coast in particular) between Saturday 5th and Sunday 12th,according to the SNCF. TGVs were also canceled and others suffered critically important delays at Rennes station on Saturday.
Similar cancellations and disruptions were reported in the Pays-de-la-Loire and Nouvelle-Aquitaine regions, which were not affected by an orange alert for violent winds. In Hauts-de-France, rail traffic was completely stopped on several TER lines such as Amiens-Compiègne, Amiens-Boulogne and Paris-Laon.
After the wind, the snow
The storm, with gusts of 125 km/h measured in Boulogne-sur-Mer by Météo France, also interrupted ferry traffic in the Channel, causing delays, and caused some damage to the electricity grid. According to Enedis, 2,300 of its customers remained without electricity at the height of the episode in the department and 1,500 were still without electricity as of mid-afternoon.
Darragh also blew fiercely across the Channel,with many trains and flights cancelled,as well as power cuts in tens of thousands of homes across the UK.
After the passage of the depression, Météo-France forecasts “heavy snowfalls from the mid-mountains” in the pyrenees. The organization has placed the departments of Ariège, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées and Haute-Garonne on orange alert for snow and ice starting at 9pm on Saturday.
What safety measures should communities implement to prepare for severe storms like Darragh?
Time.news interview: Unpacking the Impact of Storm Darragh
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we are joined by Dr. Claire Dupont, a meteorological expert with over 15 years of experience in studying severe weather patterns. Dr. Dupont, thank you for being with us.
Dr. Dupont: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss the recent events.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Storm Darragh has made headlines following its impact along the western coast of France. What can you tell us about the storm’s characteristics and why it has caused such disruptions?
Dr. Dupont: Storm Darragh is a classic atlantic storm characterized by powerful winds and rain. The speed of the wind was remarkable—gusts recorded up to 148 km/h on the island of Groix! Such intense winds can easily lead to structural damage and pose important risks to transportation.
Editor: The SNCF reported severe disruptions in rail traffic due to Darragh. Why is rail transport particularly vulnerable during these storms?
Dr. Dupont: Rail systems are highly sensitive to environmental conditions. High winds can topple trees or other debris onto the tracks, making it unsafe for trains to operate. Additionally, the infrastructure itself must be safeguarded — running trains amidst strong winds is risky and can lead to accidents.
Editor: Nine departments were placed on orange alert as a precaution. Could you explain what this weather alert system entails and its importance?
Dr. Dupont: Certainly! In France, the alert system has several tiers, with “orange” indicating a significant risk that can lead to dangerous situations. When authorities issue such alerts, it serves as a crucial warning for residents to prepare, reinforcing the necessity to stay indoors or take proactive safety measures. The downgrading in some regions to yellow vigilance indicates the threat has lessened, but the risk still isn’t entirely over.
Editor: The storm’s impact was also felt far from the coasts, reaching as far as Île-de-France. how does a storm of this nature spread its effects across such wide areas?
Dr. Dupont: Storms can have extensive wind fields. while the epicenter of Darragh was on the coast, the high-pressure systems and weather patterns associated with it extend inland. On Saturday, the winds and weather conditions began to move towards the capital, illustrating how these systems evolve and affect broader areas.
Editor: Given the scale of this storm, are there lessons that we can take into account for future storm preparedness?
Dr. dupont: Absolutely. Effective interaction is key—both governmental and public.The alerts issued by Météo France helped residents prepare adequately. additionally,there’s a need for improving infrastructure resilience against such storms. For instance, more robust tree management along rail lines could prevent blockages during severe weather.
Editor: with the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris impacted by this storm, how critically important is weather consideration for such public events?
Dr.Dupont: Extremely important! Weather directly affects the safety and comfort of attendees. Additionally, for ancient sites like Notre-Dame, which draw significant crowds, organizers need to have contingency plans that can be activated at a moment’s notice.
Editor: Dr.Dupont, thank you for your insights into storm Darragh and its implications. Staying informed and prepared is crucial, as we continue to face unpredictable weather events.
Dr. Dupont: Thank you for having me! It’s essential for everyone to understand the power of nature and take the necessary precautions in the face of extreme weather.
Editor: That’s a wrap for today’s interview. Stay safe and informed, everyone.Until next time!