The remnants of Hurricane Kirk made landfall in southern France on Wednesday, wreaking havoc across Western Europe. The storm brought torrential rain and powerful winds, resulting in significant destruction and at least one fatality in the French port city of Sète, where storm surges capsized three boats. An amateur sailor lost their life, and another individual remains in critical condition.
In southern France, the storm left approximately 64,000 residents without power, leading to widespread flooding on multiple roads and prompting emergency services to clear debris.
In response to the severe weather, the French government has placed 29 departments on orange alert and issued a red alert for the Seine-et-Marne region, highlighting the risk of flooding along the swollen Grand Morin River.
During a press briefing, Energy and Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher emphasized that such extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common due to climate change, urging citizens to exercise caution and preparedness.
The storm’s impact extended beyond France, severely affecting Portugal and Spain as well. In Portugal, around 300,000 homes experienced power outages, with the northern city of Porto suffering the most damage.
Spain faced winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour in the regions of Asturias and Galicia, causing blocked roads and triggering mudslides.
Authorities throughout Western Europe are closely monitoring the situation, as the remnants of Hurricane Kirk pose ongoing risks of flooding and further storm damage. The combination of severe weather and the potential for additional rainfall has raised concerns about safety and infrastructure resilience in affected areas.
