More snow for France as thousands remain without power
Météo France has issued more ice and snow alerts across France, as thousands of homes in the Haute-Loire and Corsica are already without power after heavy snow and storm Adrian hit yesterday.
An orange alert for ice and snow is in place for 17 departments today (Tuesday October 30), from Corrèze and the Haute-Loire up to Marne and the Ardennes.
The alert for “orange” is second-most severe, one down from “red”. Residents are warned to check roads before setting out on journeys and carry equipment in case you become stuck - including a shovel, and food and drink.
Locals are also advised to postpone any outdoors activity or work, and not to go near any large bodies of water or coastlines.
The full list of departments on alert:
Ain (01), Allier (03), Ardennes (08), Aube (10), Cher (18), Corrèze (19), Côte-d'Or (21), Creuse (23), Loire (42), Haute-Loire (43), Loiret (45), Marne (51), Haute-Marne (52), Nièvre (58), Puy-de-Dôme (63), Saône-et-Loire (71) and Yonne (89).
The alert comes after orange snow and ice warnings were issued yesterday (Monday October 29) in the Massif Central, and storm Adrian hit Corsica and the Côte d’Azur, prompting Corse du Sud to be issued a “red” weather warning for the first time ever.
The peak of the storm hit at around 22h, with top wind speeds of 189 kph recorded. The island was still on “red” alert for wind, and orange alert for rain and flooding yesterday afternoon and evening, with Météo France predicting 150-200 mm of rainfall and extremely choppy seas.
Corsica’s airports and ferry ports were closed during the storm.
Over 11,000 EDF clients are still without power, according to a statement from the company itself.
Anyone in Corsica without power due to fallen electricity lines should not touch any wires or attempt to reconnect them themselves, EDF said. It issued an emergency number (09 78 67 50 20) to anyone affected.
All severe warnings in the area have now been lifted, with only a lower level “yellow” alert in Corse du Sud.
In the Haute-Loire, almost 1,000 people were left stranded in cars overnight due to snow, while over 4,000 homes are still without power today.
During the peak of the weather yesterday, over 7,000 homes were without power, but many were reconnected the same day.
Urgent shelters were set up to welcome stranded drivers and passengers, with the department confirming that 200 people were accommodated overnight.
The weight of the snow caused trees to fall across roads, adding further delays, the department said.
