French authorities issued an orange climate alert across 13 regions as Hurricane Domingos advanced toward the mainland, arriving just days after the earlier storm Ciarán. France’s meteorological service issued warnings about the approaching cyclone, signaling heightened risk for coastal and inland areas alike.
The Republic’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Gérald Darmanin, warned that the disaster could unfold in the coming hours and stressed that residents should heed official guidance. He noted that Domingos may generate powerful waves and rising floodwaters, urging the public to stay informed through official channels and to prepare for possible evacuations or sheltering measures as conditions evolve.
Hurricane Ciarán struck France overnight, with the most intense winds reported in the regions of Normandy and Brittany. Meteorological data indicated wind speeds reaching up to 55 meters per second and waves towering over 20 meters in some coastal zones, underscoring the severity of the storm and the likelihood of extensive disruption across multiple communities.
In a formal statement, representatives of the French electricity networks, reported by TASS, described the event as the most damaging in the past quarter-century. Restoration teams have managed to repair roughly 80 percent of the affected infrastructure, yet more than 250,000 households remained without power, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by energy providers and residents as crews continue to work through the outages.
Approximately 1,300 people were evacuated from danger zones in anticipation of worsening conditions. In Paris and several western communes, public safety directives included park closures and restrictions on outdoor activities as a precaution against debris, fallen trees, and sudden gusts that could endanger pedestrians and motorists. Economic assessments placed the damage from the storms at several hundred million euros, with nearly half a billion euros in estimated losses reflecting impacts on homes, businesses, and critical services across the affected regions.
Across the country, authorities coordinated emergency responses, with local officials mobilizing shelter facilities, transport services, and medical resources to support those displaced or harmed by the storms. Residents were advised to secure outdoor belongings, prepare emergency kits with essential supplies, and monitor official communications for updates on road conditions, power restoration, and any necessary curfews or travel advisories. The situation remained fluid as Domingos approached and weather patterns continued to pose risks for flooding, landslides, and coastal impacts in exposed zones.
As the situation developed, calm and resilience emerged as a common theme among communities. Local authorities emphasized personal responsibility and community cooperation, noting that timely information and readiness can significantly reduce the risk of injury or further damage. The broader meteorological outlook suggested that the coastal areas should brace for strong seas, while inland regions could experience intense rainfall and wind gusts that test infrastructure and emergency services. Citizens were reminded to follow guidance from authorities, seek shelter when advised, and check on vulnerable neighbors who might need assistance during these events.
Earlier, a separate tremor of magnitude 4.3 was reported in Guangdong Province, China, illustrating how natural hazards can affect distant regions and underscores the ongoing importance of monitoring, preparedness, and rapid communication in disaster management. The global pattern of extreme weather and seismic events continues to stress emergency planning efforts and the need for robust resilience measures across nations.