Storm Ciarán recently swept across France and England, causing disruption and damage. With hurricane-strength winds and heavy rainfall, affecting millions of people, knocking out power grids, and forcing the closure of schools and transportation routes.
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Storm Ciarán, with wind speeds reaching over 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour), made landfall in France, specifically in the department of Finistère in the northwest.
The storm’s intensity was so severe that it broke several local records, leaving destruction. At least one person in France lost their life as a result of the storm.
This individual was struck by a falling branch while driving. 1.2 million people in France were left without power due to the destruction caused by the storm.
Fallen trees, branches, and electrical and telephone lines littered the road network.Brittany, in northwestern France, was one of the worst-hit regions, with around 780,000 residents facing power outages.
Fallen trees and uprooted electricity pylons were identified as the causes of these power cuts. French energy supplier Enedis quickly mobilized approximately 3,000 workers and 30 helicopters to restore power to the affected areas.
The storm had an impact on transportation and infrastructure. Local trains in western France were canceled, and roads in the Finistère region of Brittany were closed due to the extreme weather conditions.
French Transport Minister Clément Beaune addressed the need for caution and discouraged driving in affected areas, as fallen trees and other debris created hazardous conditions.
The United Kingdom experienced the full force of Storm Ciarán. The British Isles and Channel Islands were placed under red alert warnings as the storm approached.
Also Read: Storm Ciarán: Flood Warnings in Place as UK Braces for Heavy Rain
In Jersey, all schools and the airport were closed, while in Cornwall, around 8,500 people were left without power, and more than 100 schools had to be closed. The local media captured images of waves crashing into and breaching sea walls in Cornwall.
The United Kingdom’s Met Office issued warnings that the combination of strong winds and heavy rainfall posed a “danger to life” as flying debris and falling trees threatened homes and infrastructure.
Large waves were predicted to damage coastal roads and properties, leading to concerns about flooding. The aftermath of the storm was characterized by travel disruption, with several rail companies warning commuters to avoid traveling, even in the capital.
Although the Met Office noted that the storm’s path had shifted further south than initially projected, the winds were expected to affect coastal areas.
The disruption caused by Storm Ciarán came just weeks after Storm Babet, which brought destructive winds, heavy rain, and flash flooding to various parts of the United Kingdom.
As the Earth’s atmosphere warms, it becomes capable of holding more water vapor, resulting in more intense rainfall when storms hit.
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Experts, such as Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at the Grantham Institute, Imperial College London, have said that climate change contributes to the severity of autumn and winter storms.
The rainfall associated with these storms becomes more severe, and storm surges are higher due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
The scientific consensus is clear, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, leading to more rainfall. Each degree Celsius of global warming is associated with a 7% increase in rainfall.
Heavier rain not only causes more damage but also contributes to more damaging storm surges. In France, the impact of Storm Ciarán was particularly severe.
The department of Finistère in the northwest bore the brunt of the storm, with wind speeds exceeding 120 kilometers per hour. Fallen trees and power outages disrupted daily life for thousands of residents.
The response from French authorities and energy suppliers, such as Enedis, demonstrated the importance of quick action to restore power and address the immediate consequences of the storm.
The United Kingdom also faced challenges because of the Storm Ciarán. Southern England and the Channel Islands were the most affected areas, with flooding and power outages. The closure of schools and transportation routes added to the disruption caused by the storm.
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