PARIS - Storm Herminia caused the worst flooding in decades in north-west France, while triggering red alerts for huge waves along the coast of northern Portugal and Spain.
The flooding in France was most severe in Brittany, according to the country’s energy, environment and climate office. Upstream tributaries of the Vilaine River have flooded, and the Seiche and Meu rivers are also overflowing. The authorities said flooding in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine was the most severe since 2001 and would likely worsen after back-to-back storms.
Wind gusts as strong as 120kmh are expected along the Atlantic coast of Brittany, according to Meteo France. The road linking the cities of Rennes and Brest was cut, while schools were shut in the town of Saffre in the Loire-Atlantique department, France Info said. Amber flood and wave alerts covered 15 French departments on Jan 28.
The stormy conditions boosted France’s wind generation to a record of almost 20 gigawatts on Jan 26 evening – the equivalent of about 20 nuclear reactors. Power prices plunged to well below zero early on Jan 27 on Epex Spot SE, as wind generation flooded the grid.
Waves as high as 14m are pounding a stretch of Portugal from Figueira da Foz to Viana do Castelo. Further north, the Spanish coast is being hit by waves of up to 12m.
The latest storms across western Europe come after Eowyn pummeled Ireland and Britain with hurricane-force winds at the end of last week. Research indicates that while climate change could mean fewer winter storms overall in north-western Europe, it could make strong storms like Eowyn even stronger.
Yellow alerts for wind and rain are also in place for southern England and Wales on Jan 27.
Forecasters in Germany also issued a red wind alert to Jan 27 afternoon, warning that hurricane-force gusts of up to 130kmh in the Harz District could damage trees, buildings and power lines.
Meteo France said there were risks of avalanches in the southern Alps, possibly threatening mountain roads and other infrastructure. More than a meter of snow is forecast this week for French and Italian ski resorts around Mont Blanc. BLOOMBERG
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