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Storms Brittany

Brittany , the coastal region of north-west France, has long been the scene of powerful and sometimes devastating storms. Between the violent winds, impressive waves and flooding, the region's inhabitants have learned to respect the force of nature. Here's a look at the storms notable that have marked the history of Brittany.

Four lighthouse

Photograph of a wave submerging the Four lighthouse under a stormy sky on the right and its framed image on the left

 

 

The Four lighthouse, , well-known for the immense waves that crash against its walls during storms, it was first lit in March 1874. Located between the English Channel and the Atlantic, it can be seen from the GR34 trail at Landunvez and Porspoder. Built over four years on the Four rock, it resembles the Pierres Noires lighthouse. These twin lighthouses guide sailors through the perilous Four channel.

Storms at Le Four lighthouse are not only spectacular, they can also be deadly. On 27 April 1873, when construction of the lighthouse was not yet complete, a "dull wave" capsized a boat carrying supplies and materials, killing three sailors.

Despite the repeated assaults of the elements, Le Four lighthouse has withstood the most violent storms. Its sturdy construction and strategic position have enabled it to stand firm against the vagaries of the Iroise Sea. However, storms have left their mark: on 1 February 1904, lightning struck the lighthouse, causing major damage.

Even today, the Le Four lighthouse remains a symbol of resilience in the face of Atlantic storms.

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November 1984

On 22 and 23 November 1984, two storms hit the northern half of France, particularly Brittany. 

The night of 23 to 24 November 1984 will go down in the annals of Brittany's weather history. A storm of rare violence hit the region, causing considerable damage and flooding along the coast.

Gusts exceeded 150 km/h on the Breton coast, with peaks of up to 175 km/h in places.

The town centre of Landerneau, in the Finistère region of Brittany, found itself under water. Raging waves sent tonnes of pebbles crashing onto the coastline, altering the coastal landscape.

These extreme winds uprooted trees, damaged buildings and disrupted infrastructure.

Hurricane of October 1987

The storm of 1987, nicknamed the "Hurricane of 1987", the storm hit Brittany and Normandy with exceptional force, leaving an indelible mark on the region's meteorological history.

A storm of rare intensity

On the night of 15 to 16 October 1987, an explosive low-pressure system swept across north-western France with winds of unprecedented force. Gusts reaching dizzying speeds were recorded: 200 km/h in Ouessant and 187 km/h in Quimper. These figures testify to the exceptional power of this storm, considered to be the most violent of the century for these regions.

Considerable damage

The impact of this storm was devastating:

  • 15 people lost their lives in France.
  • The damage was estimated at around 23 billion francs at the time, or 3.5 billion euros.

Nearly a quarter of Brittany's forests have been destroyed.

The Breton landscape has been profoundly altered. Some residents have compared the scenes of desolation to the battlefields of Verdun, such was the scale of the destruction.

An exceptional meteorological phenomenon!

Although often referred to as a "hurricane", this storm was in fact a mid-latitude low of rare intensity. Its atmospheric pressure dropped to 948 hPa at Brest, a record since the station was created in 1945. The speed at which the storm moved, around 110 km/h, amplified its devastating effects.

A turning point in ecological awareness

This extreme weather event marked a turning point in awareness of weather risks in Brittany and Normandy.

It has led to improved warning systems and better preparedness for storms.

Paradoxically, ten years after the disaster, the forestry balance sheet has been positive, with almost complete reforestation of the destroyed areas and the appearance of 30,000 hectares of new forests.

The hurricane of October 1987 remains engraved in our collective memory as a reminder of the power of nature and the need for constant vigilance in the face of extreme weather phenomena.

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Daria (25 and 26 January 1990)

The Daria storm, which occurred on January 25, 1990, made a significant impact in Brittany.

A violent storm

Daria hit the region with remarkably strong winds. On Belle-Île, gusts were measured at 162 km/h, 176 km/h was reached at the Pointe du Raz.

21 deaths have been reported in France!

Herta (1990)

The Herta storm struck France during the day, a rare occurrence for a storm of such intensity.

Devastating winds

It was the second strongest storm in 50 years in the northern part of the country.

Starting at 9 a.m., powerful winds swept across Brittany, reaching 167 km/h at the Pointe du Raz, 162 km/h at Belle-Île-en-Mer, and 170 km/h in Granville.

As it moved inland, gusts reached 133 km/h in Nantes and 151 km/h at the Cap de la Hève. Herta then struck Île-de-France with 158 km/h in Brétigny-sur-Orge.

A heavy human and material toll

The Herta storm was devastating, causing the death of a driver near Pipriac and several injuries, particularly due to broken windows.

The material damage was significant: the church in Brielles lost its bell tower, buildings were damaged in Rennes, and businesses suffered damage in Cancale and Vitré. Throughout the region, many trees were uprooted.

Lothar and Martin (December 1999)

The storms Lothar and Martin, which hit Brittany on 26 and 27 December 1999, left their mark on the region's history for their exceptional violence. These meteorological events have been described as "storms of the century because of their intensity and considerable impact.

Lothar struck the Breton coasts on December 26, bringing extraordinarily strong winds.

Record gusts were recorded:

  • 184 km/h on the island of Ushant
  • 173 km/h in Saint-Brieuc, the regional record for this event
  • 158 km/h at Pleyber-Christ

Winds exceeded 100 km/h in many places, causing significant damage, particularly in certain areas of Finistère, Côtes-d'Armor, and Ille-et-Vilaine.

Entire forests were destroyed, farms were severely damaged, and roofs were torn off. The power grid suffered heavy consequences, leaving some cities, including Rennes, without electricity for a time.

In total, the storm caused the deaths of around fifteen people in the region.

The Martin storm followed the next day, December 27, particularly affecting the south of Brittany.

It strikes a more southern area of Brittany than the first storm, but with similar strength.

This storm, named Martin, impacts the region less severely, but Loire-Atlantique suffers significant damage, particularly in its forests.

The power grid is affected once again, while the estuaries and coasts experience flooding.

Storm Justine (31 January 2021)

 

Photograph of an incredible wave during the Justine storm in Brittany on the right and its framed image on the left

 

 

The Camors storm Justine hit Brittany on 31 January 2021.

With winds reaching almost 150 km/h, it caused flooding, power cuts and property damage.

The coast of Brittany was violently battered by impressive waves. Residents had to cope with extreme weather conditions, a reminder of man's vulnerability in the face of nature.

Loïc Delplanque : "During storm Justine, the waves hit harder than usual. Dripping with water, I was about to head back to the car when he emerged from the waves. The beautiful thing about waves, apart from the power they emanate, is the imagination they conjure up. Some people see a simple wave, I see a dragon rising from the sea. And what do you see in this photo?

Ciaran (1ᵉʳ to 2 November 2023)

Storm Ciaran, which hit Brittany on the night of 1 to 2 November 2023, was exceptionally violent, earning it the title of "storm of the century" from some of the media.

Extraordinarily strong winds

Ciaran generated gusts of wind of an intensity rarely seen in Brittany :

  • 207 km/h recorded at Pointe du Raz in Finistère, setting a new record
  • 193 km/h measured at Plougonvelin, also in Finistère
  • 180 km/h recorded on the island of Bréhat in the Côtes d'ArmorEven inland, the winds remained very violent:
  • 125 km/h at Rostrenen in Côtes d'Armor
  • 108 km/h recorded at Rennes in Ille-et-Vilaine

Considerable damage

The consequences of Ciaran have been devastating for the region:
Many trees uprooted and roofs damaged
Roads cut off and marinas devastated
Around 1.2 million homes without electricity in France, many of them in Brittany

The wild Morbihan coast

 

Photo of a wave submerging a rock on the wild Morbihan coast on the right and its framed interpretation on the left

 

The Camors wild coast of Morbihan, with its steep cliffs and secluded beaches, it is often exposed to the raging elements, particularly during the winter months.

These extreme weather phenomena are characterised by powerful winds and impressive waves that shape the coastal landscape.

Storms on this coast can generate gusts frequently exceeding 100 km/h, with records sometimes reaching 150 km/h during the most intense episodes. These violent winds, combined with the particular topography of the coast, create spectacular and dangerous sea conditions.

The waves generated by these storms can reach considerable heights, sometimes in excess of 10 metres.

These extreme conditions often attract curious onlookers and photographers, but represent a real danger to the safety of people and coastal infrastructures.

The local authorities regularly take precautionary measures during these events, such as closing certain access points to the coast or issuing warnings to the population.

These storms, though potentially destructive, are an essential part of the identity of the Morbihan’s Wild Coast and contribute to its unique character.

Storms in Brittany shape the landscape, reminding residents of the power of nature.

Whether on the wild Morbihan coast, at the Four lighthouse or elsewhere, these climatic events remain anchored in the region's history and collective memory.

Be ready to face the elements in Brittany, as the next storm could arise at any moment !

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