The Goretti storm continues to hit France, with its effects reaching as far as Île-de-France, where 13,500 households are currently without power. In response to this emergency affecting nearly 380,000 homes nationwide, Enedis has activated its Rapid Electricity Response Team to restore electricity as quickly as possible. The regions of Normandy and Brittany remain the most affected by this fierce weather event, which, in its scale, evokes recent severe winter storms.
Details reveal that the impact varies greatly across France. Normandy bears the heaviest burden, with 266,200 households without power, including over 82,000 in the Manche department alone. Brittany reports 21,000 affected households, while Picardy has around 18,500. By comparison, Île-de-France seems less affected, with 13,500 households still in the dark—though this still causes significant disruption for families in the Paris region during the dead of winter.
To tackle this crisis, Enedis has mobilized significant resources. Up to 1,600 technicians from the company and 650 contracted staff are on standby to respond in the hardest-hit areas. A nationwide effort has also been launched: 200 technicians from across France arrived in Brittany and Normandy on Thursday, with additional reinforcements expected this Friday to speed up the power restoration efforts.
While Storm Goretti is causing significant damage, it remains less severe so far than its predecessor, Ciaran, which made headlines in 2023. Back then, the storm left nearly 1.2 million households without power—more than three times the current number. This context helps put the current impact into perspective, even though each affected family is facing a difficult situation, especially during the winter months when electricity is vital for heating and lighting.
Enedis emphasizes that this remains a "changing situation," meaning the number of affected households could still vary in the hours to come. Crews are working tirelessly to restore power, but turnaround times depend on the extent of damage to the network and the weather conditions, which can sometimes hinder repair efforts. Technicians must prioritize safety, which may extend restoration timelines in certain areas.
For residents in Île-de-France affected by these power outages, it’s advisable to stay updated via Enedis's official website or their mobile app, which allows users to report outages and track restoration progress. While waiting for electricity to be restored, it's best to unplug sensitive devices to prevent damage when power is back on, and to consider alternative heating options if necessary—all while adhering to safety guidelines.
In short, Storm Goretti highlights the fragility of our infrastructure in the face of climate-related events, even in the Paris region, which is typically less vulnerable than the Brittany or Normandy coasts.
