Storm Darragh Batters France, Leaves Thousands Without Power
[Updating: December 8, 2024 19:16 | Updated: December 8, 2024 20:02]
France braced for the aftermath of Storm Darragh as it swept across the country, leaving a trail of disruption in its wake. The mighty winds uprooted trees and brought down power lines, plunging thousands of homes into darkness. Utility company Enedis, mobilized hundreds of technicians to restore power, and they were confident that over 80% of affected customers would have their electricity back by the end of the day.
Across the English Channel, the UK and Ireland also felt the full force of Storm Darragh. Nearly 400,000 homes lost power, prompting Enedis to dispatch 60 employees and 39 specialized machines to assist the Irish recovery efforts. It was a reciprocal gesture of solidarity, as the Irish teams had provided similar aid to Brittany during Storm Ciaran in 2022.
Rail Chaos on the Western Coast
Storm Darragh’s fury wreaked havoc on railway services along the western coast of France. As a precautionary measure, all lines in Normandy were suspended throughout the weekend.
The Rouen-Le Havre link remained out of service on Monday as extensive repair work was required. In Brittany, the situation gradually returned to normalcy on Sunday, following a day marred by numerous delays and cancellations.
Enedis issued a critical reminder to the public, urging everyone to prioritize safety and avoid contact with any downed power lines or objects in contact with electrical lines due to the inherent risks involved.
Barge Runs Aground in Seine-Maritime After Breaking Free
Barge Adrift Runs Aground
A colossal 122-meter barge, detached from its Maltese tug in British waters due to the storm’s violent winds, drifted relentlessly across the English Channel and ultimately ran aground on a beach in Sotteville-sur-Mer (Seine-Maritime) on Sunday. The grounding occurred at 1 p.m., but thankfully, the empty barge caused no casualties or pollution.
Despite the valiant efforts of Belgian and French tugboats to stabilize the vessel at sea, challenging weather conditions thwarted their rescue attempts. After drifting into French waters on Saturday evening, the barge came to rest approximately 300 meters from the cliffs, perched on a high sandy bottom.
To minimize tidal movements, the barge’s ballast pumps were activated. A comprehensive rescue plan is anticipated once weather conditions improve. Currently, three tugboats are stationed in the area, monitoring the situation closely.
How did the storm affect Ireland, and what international collaboration took place in response?
## Storm Darragh Leaves Mark Across Europe
**(NEWS ANCHOR)** Thanks for joining us. We’re switching gears now to talk about the impact of Storm Darragh. Joining us is…” [Alex Reed name and credentials]. Welcome to the show.
**(GUEST)** Thanks for having me.
**(NEWS ANCHOR)** Storm Darragh certainly made its presence known in France, didn’t it? Can you tell us more about the impact there?
**(GUEST)** Absolutely. Storm Darragh brought strong winds and heavy rain to France, leading to widespread power outages affecting thousands of homes. The utility company Enedis mobilized hundreds of technicians to work on restoring power, and they were optimistic about reconnecting the majority of affected customers by the end of the day [1].
**(NEWS ANCHOR)** That’s good to hear. The storm also crossed over to the UK and Ireland, where it seems power outages were even more extensive.
**(GUEST)** That’s right. Nearly 400,000 homes lost power in the UK and Ireland due to the storm. In a display of excellent international cooperation, French utility company Enedis sent 60 employees and 39 specialized machines to help with recovery efforts in Ireland [[[[[1]].
**(NEWS ANCHOR)** That’s a remarkable example of solidarity.
**(GUEST)** Absolutely. It highlights the importance of international collaboration, especially in the face of natural disasters.
**(NEWS ANCHOR)** Thanks for providing us with these insights, Alex Reed. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with us.
**(GUEST)** You’re welcome.
