01/11/2023 3:58 pm (current 01/11/2023 3:58 pm)
Strong gusts, high waves and risk of flooding: Due to hurricane “Emir” (international “Ciaràn”) approaching on Wednesday night, several ferry connections across the English Channel have already been cancelled. Ferry company Condor suspended its passenger and freight services between the Channel Islands and the UK on Wednesday and Thursday. The company DFDS canceled trips between Dieppe, in France, and Newhaven, in England.
According to the British weather service Met Office, wind speeds of up to 85 miles per hour (almost 140 km/h) are expected. He warned of danger to lives on Thursday due to debris, covered roofs, downed power lines and falling trees. The coastal areas of southwest and southeast England are particularly affected.
Weather warnings for heavy rain have been issued for large parts of southern England, Wales and Scotland on Wednesday. By Tuesday, signs of the hurricane had already caused flooding in Northern Ireland and parts of Ireland.
France has also restricted traffic in some parts. Brest Breton Airport is scheduled to temporarily close from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday morning. Regional rail services in the regions of Brittany, Normandy, Pays de Loire, Hauts de France and Center Val de Loire will also be partially suspended from late Wednesday evening and into Thursday.
French meteorological service Météo France expects gusts of wind with speeds of up to 170 km/h on Thursday night. For the three departments of Finistère, Les Côtes-d’Armor and Manche, the highest alert level, red, applies from midnight due to strong winds. Flooding and storm surges also threaten in northwest France.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin advised people to stay at home. “Across France, I encourage the French not to go out on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. And if you do go out, don’t stay near waterways or near the sea.”
Meanwhile, affected communities prepared for the storm. Sandbags were placed on the Breton coast to reinforce dams, beaches were closed, additional barricades were set up close to the shore, and ships were caught or made safer.