Storm alert: winds up to 130 km/h to hit France

Update on Wednesday, October 22 at 16:30:  The department of Corrèze is on alert for pluie-inondation (flooding by rain) from around 22:00 today, continuing into tomorrow, October 23.

"The concerning aspect of this storm is not its intensity, but the persistence of heavy rainfall over several days," says Météo-France.

A total of 16 departments across metropolitan France now have orange alerts for October 23. Wind warnings have been announced in Nord, Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Deux-Sèvres, Charente, Pyrénées-Orientales, Aude, and Puy-de-Dôme. 

Several French departments have been placed on orange alert for tomorrow (Thursday, October 23) as Storm Benjamin brings heavy rain and gusts of up to 130 km/h.

The storm will begin this evening (October 22) as strong winds push through the English Channel causing high waves across northern France and the Atlantic coast. The gusts will continue from Wednesday night into Thursday morning, states Météo-France. 

The departments affected by the wind warning are: Manche, Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. 

Seine-Maritime, Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques are also on alert for vagues-submersion (flooding by waves).

Gusts of 100 to 120 km/h, and even 130 km/h in some areas, are expected along the coast, and 90 to 110 km/h inland. Strong rain is also forecast, particularly in the Northern Alps.

The risk of power cuts and travel disruption will increase due to the potential for fallen tree branches and damaged roofs. People may also be asked to move vehicles from high-risk areas. 

Public parks in Nantes will be closed all day tomorrow as well as the Pont de Saint-Nazaire, until 11:00 on Thursday.

Official ‘orange alert’ advice from Météo-France encourages people to limit travel, stay alert to falling objects, avoid coastal areas, prepare an ‘emergency kit’ (torch, first aid materials, drinking water etc.) and keep informed on the evolution of Storm Benjamin.

Possible increase in alert level

“A relatively large low-pressure system will move across the English Channel on Thursday. There is still uncertainty about its trajectory and intensity, and therefore about the associated wind and rainfall,” states Météo-France. 

The state forecaster explains that the alert level may increase to orange for wind warnings in yellow departments along the west and north of the country, and for rainfall in the Northern Alps.

Orange alerts should be gradually lifted from midday for northern departments and 14:00 for western departments.

Strong gales have already hit the north of the country this week. One person died and several others were left badly injured after a tornado blew over three construction cranes on October 20. 

Earlier this month, Storm Amy caused further disruption with violent winds and heavy seas, killing two people in northern France on October 4.