Storm Goretti Prompts Orange Wind Alerts and Safety Measures Across Multiple French Departments

Storm Goretti is actively impacting several French departments including Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor, Essonne, and Seine-et-Marne, with orange vigilance alerts for violent winds issued by Météo France on January 8-9, 2026.

The Finistère department faces severe weather with wind gusts between 100 to 140 km/h, prompting the closure of Brest's Iroise bridge at 6 PM and suspension of the Quimper–Landerneau railway line. Speed limits for vehicles over 7.5 tons and trailers have been reduced by 20 km/h on national and secondary roads. The prefect, Louis Le Franc, urges residents to stay vigilant, secure property, and minimize non-essential travel, especially near the coast or in forests.

Similarly, the Côtes-d’Armor department is under an orange alert for winds reaching up to 140 km/h along the coast with a concurrent yellow alert for wave submersion from 8 PM to midnight during high tides. Train services on key lines will be suspended overnight. Authorities have banned nautical activities, restricted access to forests and hiking trails, and recommended securing homes and avoiding travel. The prefect emphasizes strict adherence to safety guidelines.

In Essonne, wind gusts of 90-95 km/h with peaks near 100 km/h have led to an orange alert from 10 PM January 8 to 8 AM January 9. Residents are advised to limit travel, avoid outdoor activities, and secure loose objects to mitigate risks of falling trees and power outages.

Seine-et-Marne’s response includes a ban on access to all public and private forests, forest roads, and hiking trails from 10 PM January 8 until midnight January 10 to prevent accidents due to strong winds. Exemptions apply to emergency services and authorized personnel.

Public warnings emphasize avoiding unnecessary travel, staying away from vulnerable areas such as forests and coasts, and following official updates through prefecture channels and Météo France.

The widespread precautions highlight the seriousness of Storm Goretti’s impact, as authorities coordinate efforts to safeguard citizens and infrastructure across affected regions.