Storm Austen Knocks Out Power to 161,000 Households in France, Disrupts Transport

Electricity network operator Enedis reported that 128,000 households in Brittany, 19,000 in Pays de la Loire and 14,000 in Normandy had lost power by early morning, adding that more than 2,000 employees were ready to begin repairs as soon as conditions allowed.

The storm brought wind gusts of up to 161 kilometers per hour at Pointe du Raz in Brittany, with several locations recording monthly wind-speed records, according to French weather service reports.

Transport services were also severely affected, with ferries connecting France and England remaining docked amid strong winds and high waves, while rail disruptions spread across several regions.

Train services in Normandy were suspended, while several regional lines in Brittany faced interruptions until midday. Disruptions and preventive service cancellations were also reported in Hauts-de-France, with further delays expected as the storm moved northeast.

Meanwhile, emergency crews were responding to fallen trees, blocked roads and other incidents, particularly in western France.

In Finistere, local authorities activated a crisis response center as the storm intensified. By midnight, departmental services had carried out 105 operations, mainly to clear roads, while firefighters had responded to 45 incidents.

Authorities also urged caution along exposed coastal areas, where violent gusts and rough seas posed additional risks.