2023-11-01 23:38:00
Violent squalls, meter-high waves: France and Great Britain are preparing for a severe hurricane. Meteorologists warn of danger to life outdoors. The storm will also be felt in Germany.
Traffic has been partially restricted in the English Channel and in northwestern France due to an approaching storm. The hurricane “Emir”, internationally known as “Ciaran”, is expected to hit the French Atlantic and English southern coasts during the night.
The French weather service Météo France expects gusts of wind with speeds of up to 170 kilometers per hour and waves up to ten meters high. According to the British weather service Met Office, wind speeds of almost 140 kilometers per hour are expected in Great Britain. Meteorologists warn of danger to life from flying debris, covered roofs, torn down power cables and falling trees. Coastal areas in the southwest and southeast of England are particularly affected.
Runners also expected in Germany
Storm and hurricane gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour are also possible on the Belgian and Dutch North Sea coasts. In Belgium, the weather service announced an orange warning level for the Flemish coast and a yellow warning level for the rest of the country. The cities of Brussels, Antwerp and Liège announced that they would close public parks from Wednesday afternoon and throughout Thursday.
According to the German Weather Service (DWD), Germany will only reach the hurricane depth in a very weakened form. The DWD expects storm gusts of a maximum of 85 kilometers per hour, especially at higher altitudes and on the North Sea coast. Up to 100 km/h could be achieved on the Brocken in the Harz Mountains.
Interior Minister Darmanin: Don’t go out!
Brittany is holding its breath – that’s the headline on the news channel BFMTV. Almost a third of all French departments are at orange warning level, three are red on the weather maps. This means vigilance absolue – absolute vigilance – from midnight and into the morning. France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin advised people to stay at home: “Everywhere in France, I encourage French people not to go out on the night of Wednesday to Thursday. And if they do go out, not near watercourses and not near the sea to be.”
Ports in the country are closed, beach restaurants are protected with sandbags, and some mayors have imposed exit restrictions. The sea rescue team was increased in personnel. The French railway company SNCF suspended regional services in the most vulnerable areas and also canceled some TGV high-speed train services.
Ferries between France and Great Britain are canceled
The ferry company Condor canceled its passenger and freight connections between the Channel Islands and Great Britain for Wednesday and Thursday. The company DFDS canceled trips between Dieppe in France and Newhaven in England. Regional train services in the regions of Brittany, Normandy, Pays de Loire, Hauts de France and Center Val de Loire will also be partially suspended from late Wednesday evening and on Thursday.
The railway company Eurostar, which offers connections from mainland Europe to Great Britain, said it expected disruptions and slower journeys. She advised passengers to postpone trips planned for Thursday.
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