Over 1600 displaced as Storm Eowyn and Herminia wreak havoc on communities.
Severe storms have battered Europe this January, leading to historic flooding and unprecedented disruption, particularly for residents of western France and the United Kingdom. Storm Eowyn, followed closely by Storm Herminia and enhanced by Storm Ivo, has wreaked havoc across various regions, with emergency services working tirelessly to respond to the crisis.
More than 1,600 people were forced to flee their homes as flooding became increasingly severe. The storms have brought record rainfall and extreme weather conditions, compounded by the already saturated ground from earlier downpours. Particularly hard-hit are the regions of Brittany, including Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, and Morbihan, where red weather alerts have been issued, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The town of Redon, surrounded by rivers and marshes, has been underwater since the arrival of Storm Ivo. Mayor Pascal Duchene remarked, “It’s highly likely the peak won’t be reached today, but it will be in the next few days,” indicating mounting concerns as the Vilaine river approaches historic flood levels last seen in 2001. The Red Cross has stepped up efforts, providing emergency shelters for those displaced.
Rennes, the administrative center of Ille-et-Vilaine, has recorded its worst flooding in four decades, with January rainfall exceeding 178mm. Mayor Nathalie Appere stated, “Unfortunately we haven’t seen the worst of the flooding,” encapsulating the dire situation faced by residents eager to return to normalcy. Local resident Juanita expressed her concerns for the aftermath, stating, “It’s quite catastrophic.”
Emergency shelters have been established to help those facing immediate challenges from the floods, with the Red Cross setting up facilities for up to 250 people across different locations. With floodwaters still rising, many communities remain on edge, awaiting the next phase of this relentless weather onslaught.
Meanwhile, as the storm system moved across the United Kingdom, it brought devastating winds and heavy rains. Storm Eowyn, known also as Storm Gilles in Germany, produced wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, causing serious disruption from Ireland to the UK. The Met Office noted Eowyn as potentially the most powerful weather system to hit the UK in the last decade, leading to extensive damage to infrastructure, including rail systems and power lines.
Over one million people were left without power as hurricane-force winds lashed the regions. Northern Ireland Electricity Networks reported more than 100,000 customers affected soon after Eowyn’s peak. Emergency engineers were dispatched to aid recovery efforts, as many citizens anticipated delays of up to ten days for full restoration. First Minister Michelle O’Neill labeled the impact of Storm Eowyn as “unprecedented on every level,” highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Tragically, the storms have claimed lives, with two fatalities reported; Kacper Dudek, 20, from County Donegal, was the storm’s first victim, and another untimely death occurred when heavy winds caused trees to fall onto passing vehicles. Scottish First Minister John Swinney expressed condolences, stating, “This is tragic and heartbreaking news. Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the man who has died.”
Responses from various agencies included issuing flood alerts and warnings across England, Wales, and Scotland, as officials brace for more severe weather. The Environment Agency reported 167 flood alerts active and warned citizens to stay vigilant amid potential surface and river flooding. Flood duty manager Ben Lukey noted the risk of localized flooding, emphasizing the importance of preparedness as heavy rain persisted.
Even as Storm Herminia sets to follow Eowyn’s path, meteorologists warn the conditions could worsen before they improve. Tom Morgan, of the Met Office, described the weather as wet and windy, which could complicate recovery efforts from Eowyn. He remarked, “Certainly tonight, we could see some briefly very strong winds. Expect challenging weather conditions to continue over the next few days.”
Looking to the future, cities such as Rennes are planning long-term strategies to combat flooding. Officials are considering
Credit: Evrim Agaci