Storm Benjamin Triggers Orange and Yellow Alerts Across Western France
Storm Benjamin leads to weather warnings and preventive actions across western France, with gusts of up to 130 km/h, flooding risks, and disruptions to transport and local governance.
- • Storm Benjamin is the first storm of autumn 2025, triggering orange alerts in 18 departments due to winds up to 130 km/h and high waves.
- • Finistère department is under multiple yellow alerts for rain, wind, and wave submersion through October 23.
- • Preventive sandbag barriers are deployed in Biarritz to protect against flooding from waves exceeding six meters.
- • Wind forecasts in Indre reach 80-100 km/h, causing train disruptions and local political resignations due to storm-related pressures.
Key details
Storm Benjamin, the first significant storm of autumn 2025, is currently impacting the western coast of France with strong winds, heavy rain, and high waves. Météo-France has issued orange vigilance alerts for 18 departments anticipating wind gusts up to 130 km/h, while the Finistère department is under several yellow alerts for rain, flooding, thunderstorms, violent winds, and waves-submersion starting from October 22 into October 23. In Biarritz, local authorities have proactively placed hundreds of sandbags to prevent flooding due to forecasted waves over six meters along the coast.
The storm is expected to strengthen in the English Channel overnight, prompting officials to issue warnings for residents to avoid coastal areas and adapt their driving to the hazardous conditions. Speed restrictions are also in place on the Iroise Bridge in Brest to enhance road safety amid strong gusts. The Prefect of Finistère, Louis LE FRANC, called for public vigilance and advised against risky activities near shorelines.
Inland, the Indre department faces milder effects with wind speeds predicted between 80-100 km/h, leading to disruptions in train services as announced by SNCF. Notably, 80% of wind turbine installations in Indre are located around Issoudun. Additionally, local political shifts are occurring with the resignation of Méobecq’s mayor and council citing leadership challenges.
These widespread weather alerts underscore the urgency and scale of preparations as Storm Benjamin approaches, with continuing updates advised via Météo-France sources.