Storm Goretti has exceeded initial forecasts, slamming northwest France with gusts up to 213 km/h in the Manche department, now on red alert. Power outages affect 50,000 homes, schools are closed, and transport is halted amid widespread disruptions. The UK faces similar impacts.
Building on earlier warnings of gusts up to 140 km/h, Storm Goretti peaked Thursday evening, recording a record 213 km/h at Barfleur in Manche, per the prefecture. Manche remains on red alert for violent winds until Friday morning, with 32 departments on orange, spanning Brittany, Normandy, and Île-de-France.
Immediate impacts include nearly 50,000 homes without power, including 2,200 in Manche. Schools, middle schools, and high schools are closed Friday in Manche and Seine-Maritime. Rail services are suspended in Normandy until 2 p.m. Friday and disrupted in Brittany and Hauts-de-France. Five viaducts, including the Normandy Bridge, are closed, ferries to England canceled or delayed, and maritime navigation discouraged.
Prefect Marc Chappuis likened it to 2023's Storm Ciaran but notes stronger gusts. An FR-Alert urged sheltering, avoiding trees and travel. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed full mobilization with 800 firefighters. In the UK, Cornwall is under red alert with gusts to 160 km/h.
Coastal waves of 6-9 meters threaten submersion in western Manche. The National Forestry Office advises avoiding forests until Friday.
