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Storm Austen aftermath: falling tree damages three homes as new rain alert issued in France
How to prepare before a storm and what to do if a tree falls on your home
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Blackouts, ferry disruption and fallen trees as Storm Austen hits France
Northern and western France on alert as gales reach up to 160km/h
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Storm Austen to batter northern France with winds of up to 140km/h
Trains have been cancelled across three northern regions and heightened alerts implemented
Warning on violent storms and flooding
Autumn brings the threat of seasonal violent storms and flooding to the Mediterranean arc departments and the lower Rhône valley – and the environment ministry has issued advice to residents there to ‘think safety and avoid taking risks’.
It says people should keep up-to-date on any storm’s progress and adds to avoid driving, being near rivers and streams, to take refuge in an upstairs room and stay out of cellars – and not to try to pick up children at school.
The ministry said the recent Caribbean hurricanes showed that a stationary storm could drop colossal amounts of water, turning streams into torrents.
