Hundreds of thousands without power as Storm Goretti hits France, Britain

Strong winds batter France and the UK today as Storm Goretti hits northern Europe, leaving hundreds of thousands of households without power.

In France, some 380,000 households lost power, mostly in the Normandy region and in Brittany, the Enedis power provider says.

Overnight, wind gusts of over 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) were registered in France’s northwestern Manche region, with a record 213 kilometers per hour in Barfleur, and the SNCF rail operator suspended train services between Paris and the Normandy region.

In Britain, 57,000 homes are without power, according to the National Grid, after Storm Goretti brings more snow to the country following a week of freezing weather.

Hundreds of schools are expected to be closed across Scotland and parts of central England, which has been particularly badly affected by Goretti.

Rail operators in that part of England warn customers not to travel, and some services are suspended.