After violent storms overnight, northwest France and the English south coast are also threatened by strong winds and flooding on Thursday. According to the meteorological service Météo France, there is a risk of flooding caused by storm waves across the entire French Atlantic coast, the north coast and the eastern coast of the Mediterranean until dusk. The strongest winds from hurricane “Emir”, known internationally as “Ciaràn”, are expected to have passed in France in mid-morning.
High wind speeds were expected across the UK until mid-morning in the counties of Cornwall and Devon. “Emir” is expected to ravage the south-east coast, from Hampshire to Kent and Essex, into the evening. The British meteorological service Met Office warned of the danger to life caused by debris and falling trees.
A major incident was declared in the county of Hampshire by several ferry companies at midnight. Several ferry companies canceled their English Channel connections on Thursday. Flooding was expected along the coast. The British Coast Guard has warned people not to stay near the coast. On the island of Jersey in the English Channel, the weather service warned on Thursday night of gusts of wind that could reach speeds of almost 100 miles per hour in the early morning.
In France, train services were practically suspended on Thursday in the regions of Brittany, Normandy, Pays de la Loire, Hauts de France and Center Val de Loire. In three particularly hard-hit departments, Transport Minister Clément Beaune appealed to people not to use cars. Initially, trucks were also not allowed to circulate. In some cases, reduced maximum speeds should apply in road traffic. Communities reinforced dams and set up additional barricades near the coast on Wednesday.
According to media reports, there were power cuts in several places in France overnight and trees fell. One person was slightly injured in a traffic accident in the western department of Finistère. There were a series of fire department operations. Flights were unable to land at Nantes airport due to the weather and were diverted south to Toulouse.
Other countries are also expected to feel the drop on Thursday. Storm warnings were issued across much of the Netherlands. The Meteorological Institute expects gusts of up to 110 kilometers per hour on Thursday, especially on the coast. The ANWB car club has appealed to people to work from home on Thursday if possible. Extremely long traffic jams are expected due to strong winds and heavy rain.
In Belgium, parks and other forest areas must remain closed in some places as a precaution. According to the railway, there will be no trains running between France and Belgium on Thursday. According to the information, no trains should run between the city of Bruges and the North Sea coast; A speed limit applies to other trains. According to forecasts from the Royal Meteorological Institute, wind gusts of between 80 and 90 km/h are expected in Belgium in the east of the country and 100 to 110 km/h in the west.
Germany should also feel down, but only very weakly. The German Weather Service expects gusts of up to 85 kilometers per hour, especially at higher altitudes and on the North Sea coast, and up to 100 kilometers per hour in Brocken in the Harz mountains.