Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Storms In Europe Advance With Strong Winds, Cause Power Outages And Generate Chaos In Several Countries.
Storms In Europe with strong winds and extreme weather hit several countries on the continent this Friday (9), causing chaos in transportation, power outages, school closures, and the death of at least 13 people.
The phenomenon mainly occurred in northern and western Europe, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, amid freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and gusts exceeding 200 km/h.
The meteorological authorities issued maximum alerts, while governments and utility companies tried to restore essential services and reduce the impacts on the population.
-
With a water crisis on the radar, Sabesp invests in reclaimed water for data centers and transforms sewage treatment into a solution that saves millions of liters and protects public supply.
-
Foresea achieves 100% offshore waste reuse in 2025, eliminates landfill disposal, and consolidates sustainable strategy with 1,500 tons recycled.
-
With earth, bamboo, straw, and lime mortar, a specialist builds a house for just over $460 and draws attention for its cost being much lower than traditional construction.
-
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon advances in environmental recovery with sanitation, elimination of irregular sewage, and the resumption of water sports in Rio de Janeiro.
Early in the day, air, rail, and road transport systems collapsed in several regions. At the same time, thousands of households were without electricity due to fallen trees and damage to infrastructure.
The rapid advance of the storms, coupled with the intensity of the winds, explains why the disruptions spread across different countries in just a few hours.
Germany Faces Paralyses, Deaths And Industrial Impacts
In Germany, the storms in Europe caused some of the most severe effects.
In the state of Bavaria, in the south of the country, traffic accidents related to the bad weather left three dead in less than 24 hours.
The authorities confirmed that slippery roads and low visibility directly contributed to the incidents.
Meanwhile, northern Germany recorded strong winds near hurricane force, especially in the coastal areas of the North Sea.
The railway operator Deutsche Bahn suspended train traffic on several routes and reported that resumption will occur gradually throughout Saturday.
In addition, Hamburg airport canceled or delayed flights, affecting thousands of passengers.
Major highways were also blocked, including in southern regions, such as near Frankfurt, exacerbating the transportation chaos.
The impact reached the industrial sector.
Volkswagen announced the temporary closure of its factory in Emden, in the northeast of the country, where about 8,000 people work. Even football was affected: the Bundesliga organization canceled two matches scheduled for Saturday due to safety risks.
France Registers Huge Waves, Power Outages And Nuclear Plant Shut Down
In France, extreme weather advanced forcefully from the northwest coast.
Giant waves hit ports in the Normandy region during the night, causing flooding and forcing the closure of roads and port areas.
According to the supplier Enedis, the storms in Europe caused power outages for around 320,000 homes, mostly in the north of the country.
During the night, authorities recorded wind gusts of up to 216 km/h in the Manche region.
As a preventive measure, the state-owned Électricité de France (EDF) shut down the Flamanville nuclear plant.
The French Nuclear and Radiological Safety Authority assured that the shutdown does not pose a risk to the population or the environment.
United Kingdom Faces Max Alerts, Heavy Snow And Flights Canceled
In the United Kingdom, the effects of the storms in Europe were also significant. Gusts of up to 160 km/h hit England, Wales, and Scotland, while the meteorological agency Met Office issued high-level alerts for coastal regions.
In London, about 50 flights were canceled at Heathrow airport, exacerbating chaos in air transportation.
At the same time, nearly 50,000 households remained without electricity on Friday afternoon, according to the National Grid.
The situation was aggravated by snow.
An orange alert predicted accumulations of up to 30 centimeters in some areas, leading to the closure of more than 250 schools in Scotland, just in the first week back to school after the Christmas break.
Deaths Are Also Reported In Turkey And Other Countries
The effects of extreme weather were not limited to western Europe.
In Turkey, local media reported at least five deaths in recent days.
Among the cases are roof collapses, the collapse of a wall, and a construction worker swept into the Aegean Sea.
In addition, several countries recorded interruptions in air traffic, from the Czech Republic to Russia, where airports serving Moscow canceled more than 300 flights.
Extreme Weather Exposes Vulnerabilities And Keeps Europe On Alert
Experts highlight that the frequency and intensity of storms in Europe reinforce the challenges posed by extreme weather, which affects infrastructure, mobility, and public safety.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, while emergency teams work to restore power, clear roads, and mitigate risks to the population.
In the coming days, the forecast indicates that the weather should gradually improve in some regions.
Nonetheless, the episode leaves a clear warning: events with strong winds, power outages, and chaos in transportation are likely to become increasingly common, requiring quick planning and response from European governments.
-
-
2 pessoas reagiram a isso.