Storm Goretti Leaves Nearly 100,000 Without Power and Disrupts Train Services in Northwestern France

Storm Goretti, which battered northwestern France on January 9, 2026, has resulted in significant electricity outages and rail disruptions, primarily in Normandy and Brittany. Despite restoration efforts, about 95,600 households remain without electricity, with Normandy accounting for roughly 92,000 and Brittany 2,600 of the affected customers, according to Enedis. At the peak of the storm, more than 380,000 homes lost power.

The storm, characterized by violent winds topping 200 km/h along the coast of the Manche, forced the shutdown of the Flamanville EPR nuclear reactor and caused around 400 train incidents across France. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities in France, though two men, aged 26 and 43, suffered serious injuries while trying to repair their roofs. The Manche department was particularly hard hit, with emergency services responding to 400 interventions, highlighting the storm's "exceptional" intensity as described by local authorities.

Train traffic has largely resumed, but three regional lines in Normandy—Yvetot to Fécamp, Breauté to Fécamp, and Lison to Cherbourg—remain closed. They are expected to reopen by Sunday. SNCF deployed about 300 reconnaissance trains with specialized teams, including lumberjacks, to clear tracks obstructed by fallen trees and debris. A singular example underscores the storm’s severity: a Rouen to Dieppe journey that usually takes 45 minutes extended to 12 hours due to constant track clearance.

Preventive measures, such as the closure of all 2,600 lines in Normandy from Thursday evening to Friday afternoon, helped avoid passenger incidents. While most train lines in Brittany, Hauts-de-France, and Pays de Loire have reopened, cleanup continues on the RER D line in Île-de-France, with normal service anticipated by Monday.

Meanwhile, Enedis has mobilized 3,000 technicians and 850 customer service agents to expedite power restoration and provide support. The coordinated response and efficient alert systems have mitigated the storm's impact, preserving a relatively moderate human toll. However, the storm's aftermath remains evident, with residual outages and transport delays as communities recover.