Storms Over Europe – floods, gales and avalanches

The first weeks of the new year have been marked by violent weather events. Heavy rainfall and strong winds are sweeping across Europe, particularly affecting the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Italy. The storms have led to numerous floods and infrastructure damage, and forecasts indicate further heavy rainfall and strong winds in many regions.

Storms Over Europe

A few days ago, Storm Eowyn hit the coast of the United Kingdom, which the British Met Office described as the most powerful storm in 10 years. In the northwestern regions of the country, wind speeds reached 150 km/h, while in Mace Head, Ireland, gusts reached a record-breaking 183 km/h. On Friday and Saturday, yellow and orange warnings for snow and ice were issued, and by Sunday, another storm approaching from Spain—Storm Herminia—brought heavy rainfall to the British Isles.

According to BBC reports, as of Tuesday, 2,000 households in Scotland were still without power. More than 800 incidents were recorded across the country, disrupting the railway network. One person was killed by a falling tree, and strong winds ripped roofs off public buildings. The European Commission sent 17 power generators to Ireland to help the 142,000 households and businesses left without electricity—most of whom are expected to remain without power until the end of the week, according to the Irish Times.

In Spain, Storm Herminia was the third storm to hit the country within 10 days, and meteorologists are already warning about the arrival of another—Storm Ivo, which is expected to hit the Iberian Peninsula today, bringing a dramatic drop in temperatures. In Galicia and along the Cantabrian coast, AEMET has issued orange and red warnings, as strong winds are expected to generate waves up to 12 meters high. Meanwhile, as of Monday, 4,000 residents in Galicia were still without power due to the weekend storms.

Flooding in France

The storms over Europe have not spared France. In the Ille-et-Vilaine department, rainfall reached 174 mm per square meter, setting a record since 1944. Many roads were completely submerged, agricultural fields were flooded, and at least 600 people were evacuated. In the capital of Brittany, Rennes, the worst flooding in 40 years was recorded after the Ille and Vilaine rivers overflowed. Wind gusts reached 100 km/h. In the city of Alençon, for the first time in France’s history, a 200-meter-long flood barrier had to be installed to protect the local hospital.

Unfortunately, bad weather in Brittany is far from over. Today, Meteo France issued the highest red alert level for three northwestern departments: Loire-Atlantique, Morbihan, and Ille-et-Vilaine. Four additional departments have been placed under an orange flood warning.

Flooded Tuscany – a water bomb

Storm Herminia also reached Italy, bringing flash floods to Tuscany and Liguria. In Florence, a “water bomb” was observed, submerging large parts of the city streets and paralyzing traffic. Due to overflowing canals, even National Road 65 to Bologna had to be closed.

In neighboring Liguria, 130 mm of rainfall per square meter fell within 24 hours, and the total accumulation from the weekend storms over Europe reached 280 mm. A mudslide in Genoa caused the collapse of a wall, which destroyed nearby buildings. Seven people were evacuated, and the entire district was cut off from gas supplies until repairs could be completed. Another landslide crushed a car on National Road 35.

Italy’s meteorological services, Meteo, also do not have good news—by Wednesday, another weather breakdown is expected to arrive from the Tyrrhenian Sea, once again affecting northern regions and lasting at least until next Friday.