5 000 vehicles stranded, 36 injured as Storm Caetano hits France
Storm Caetano swept through France on Thursday, November 21, 2024, bringing an unseasonal winter episode with winds reaching 131 km/h (81 mph) and snowfall of up to 16 cm (6.3 inches). The storm caused widespread disruptions, including power outages for over 250 000 homes, severe traffic halts with 5 000 vehicles stranded, and a major accident on Route A6B near Paris that injured 36 people.
Paris firefighters responding to a serious traffic accident on the A6B highway in Chevilly-Larue. The accident involves 1 bus, 4 light vehicles, and 1 motorcycle. Image credit: PompiersParis
- Storm Caetano brought unusually severe early winter weather to France this week, with heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures as low as -10.8 °C (12.6 °F).
- Over 250 000 homes were left without electricity due to the storm’s strong winds and severe weather conditions.
- Hazardous road conditions caused a multi-vehicle accident on Route A6B near Paris, involving a bus, four cars, and a motorbike. Thirty-six people were injured, including five with severe injuries requiring hospitalization.
- Traffic came to a standstill on key highways like the A36, where 5 000 vehicles were stranded due to snow. Train services in northern regions were also significantly affected.
- Capital Paris experienced its highest November snowfall in 56 years.
Storm Caetano passed over France on Thursday, bringing an early winter episode with strong winds and heavy snowfall. It continued to affect the Corsica and Pyrenees regions on Friday, November 22.
The storm left over 250 000 homes without power and caused severe traffic disruptions across the country.
An accident occurred on Route A6B near Paris, where a bus overturned, injuring 36 people, five of whom were severely injured and hospitalized. Four cars and a motorbike were also involved in the accident.
Traffic was halted along the A28 and A36 motorways, leaving hundreds of trucks stranded due to heavy snowfall in eastern France. By 11:00 local time (LT) on Friday, approximately 5 000 vehicles were stuck on the A36.
Lorries were banned on the A36 until 14:00 LT on Friday, leaving them stranded. Drivers were advised to avoid traveling on the route.
Several trains were canceled, and services were reduced in the northern region, particularly in Normandy.
Conditions were expected to improve throughout Friday as temperatures rise and snow melts. A sharp increase in temperatures is forecast for Sunday, November 24.
Under the influence of descending polar air, temperatures dropped significantly, with freezing conditions recorded in some areas on Friday morning. The lowest temperature was -10.8 °C (12.6 °F) in Bourdons-sur-Rognon, followed by -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in Wy-dit, Vexin.
Significant snowfall was recorded nationwide, with snow reported from Normandy to Paris and the Grand Est region.
Paris recorded 4 cm (1.57 inches) of snow on Thursday, marking the highest November snowfall in 56 years. The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors due to snow accumulation.
Maximum snow depths were reported in Roissy at 16 cm (6.3 inches), followed by Sélestat with 15 cm (5.9 inches) of snow.
Snow depths of 13 cm (5.1 inches) were recorded in Territoire de Belfort’s Dorans and Luxeuil-les-Bains, while Chartres, Langres, and Epinal reported 11 cm (4.3 inches) of snow.
Strong winds were reported across the country during the storm, with violent westerlies developing on Thursday from the south along the Atlantic Coast, extending from New Aquitaine to Southern Brittany, and moving eastwards.
The highest wind speeds of 131 km/h (81.4 mph) were recorded in Plovan and Chambéry-Aix. Winds exceeding 120 km/h (74 mph) were also reported in Cap-Ferret, Saint-Nazaire, Quimper, Lorient, Noirmoutier, La Rochelle, Pointe de Socoa, Clermont-Ferrand, and Nantes.
In Corsica, strong winds intensified from Thursday night to Friday, with gusts reaching 100 – 130 km/h (62 – 81 mph) in exposed areas.
References:
1 Tempête CAETANO : un épisode hivernal précoce avec neige en plaine et vents violent – MeteoFrance – November 22, 2024
2 Motorway crash, drivers stranded, power cuts: Storm Caetano wreaks havoc across France – The Connexion – November 22, 2024
Rishav is a skilled researcher specializing in extreme and severe weather reporting. He combines exceptional research capabilities with scientific precision to deliver clear, data-driven articles. Known for uncovering critical information, Rishav ensures his work is accurate, insightful, and impactful. His passion for both science and literature fuels his dedication to producing high-quality news articles. You can reach him at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
“Behold, the peoples of the earth have become as a swarm of devouring locusts which consume every green thing, a forest of fallen trees broken and dying, a desolate valley where the rains have ceased and the grass is tread down! Yet there is no seed left in you! How then shall you arise?!
Peoples of the earth, you have destroyed yourselves, you have taken your own lives! Even now you are gasping for breath, your strength all but gone from you as your life flees away! Behold, death is at the door and is about to come in! Says The Lord. Behold, by the works of your own hands, O foolish generation, are you held captive, prisoners of sin, workers of great iniquity who embrace every perverse way!
Behold the final generation, the last of the kingdoms of men–A most arrogant and wicked generation! A people who exalt themselves above their Creator and cast off My gifts, destroying that which I created for them! AN ABOMINABLE PEOPLE WHO DESTROY LIFE WHILE STILL IN THE WOMB! This is MY earth, of which you have polluted, MY precious lambs, which you have slaughtered!
Therefore, because you have made yourselves enemies of God, and speak as though you were God, THUS SAYS THE LORD: I am come to cut down the generation of My wrath, to strike the nations in My hot displeasure! Behold, I shall cause nature to rise up and fight against you, and the earth shall become your enemy, from which there shall be no defense nor hiding place.”
(From The Volumes of Truth, Volume Seven, an excerpt from “The Lord Gives; Behold, The Lord Also Takes Away”)