A powerful winter storm named Goretti has unleashed fierce winds and heavy snowfall across north-western Europe, causing widespread disruption to travel, power supplies, and daily life. The severe weather system, known as 'Elli' in Germany, led to record-breaking wind gusts and left nearly 400,000 homes in France without electricity.
Record Winds and Widespread Power Outages
France bore the initial brunt of Storm Goretti on Friday, with its national weather service, Météo-France, issuing severe warnings. Extraordinary wind speeds were recorded, including a gust of 216 kph (134 mph) at Val-de-Saire in Normandy. In a striking measurement, the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris registered a gust of 148 kph (92 mph).
The ferocious winds caused significant damage to power infrastructure. By Friday lunchtime, more than 380,000 homes, primarily in the regions of Normandy and Brittany, were without power. Authorities urged residents to stay indoors and prepare emergency supplies, including lights and drinking water.
While no major widespread property damage was reported, the storm did cause injuries. One man was seriously hurt in France after falling from his roof while trying to replace tiles, and 27 others sustained minor injuries.
Transport Networks Paralyzed by Snow and Ice
The storm's impact severely crippled transport networks across the affected regions. In France, regional train services across the north-west were suspended for much of Friday, with disruptions expected to continue. High-speed TGV services largely continued to operate, and no serious flight delays were reported.
In Germany, the national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, halted long-distance services across a large swathe of northern Germany. The national weather service, DWD, warned of treacherous conditions with ice and snowdrifts making many roads impassable. The focus of the severe weather was on the area around Hamburg and the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, where at least 15cm of fresh snow was anticipated.
In a dangerous incident outside Bremerhaven, three youths were taken into custody for throwing blocks of ice onto a motorway into incoming traffic. Police reported several vehicles were hit, though fortunately no injuries occurred.
Emergency Response and Public Warnings
Authorities in both countries activated emergency responses and issued stark warnings to the public. Schools were closed across northern France and in affected parts of Germany. In Hamburg, more than 700 sanitation workers were deployed to clear streets of heavy snowfall.
Officials advised people who could work from home to do so to prevent accidents. Motorists were told to ensure their fuel tanks were full and to carry blankets and water in their vehicles in case they became stranded. Temperatures were forecast to plunge as low as -20°C in some areas of Germany.
Central and southern Germany braced for a different threat: freezing rain. This hazardous weather was already causing incidents, with a bus skidding on ice down a hillside in Baden-Württemberg overnight, slightly injuring three people.
There was a slight reprieve for Berlin and Brandenburg, initially expected to be hit hard. The DWD called off its highest-level warning for the capital, stating there was "no danger to life and limb" from the storm in that area.
As Storm Goretti continues to move across the continent, residents are being urged to follow official advice, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for ongoing disruptions to power and transport services into the weekend.
