Severe Atlantic storm ‘Goretti’ barreled into north-western France overnight, cutting electricity to some 380,000 households in Normandy and Brittany, toppling trees and forcing the state rail operator SNCF to suspend all services on the Paris–Normandy corridor. A record gust of 213 km/h was logged at Barfleur (Manche) in the early hours of 9 January 2026, while many coastal areas endured winds above 150 km/h.([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/hundreds-thousands-without-power-storm-goretti-hits-france-britain-2026-01-09/?utm_source=openai))
SNCF’s Nomad Train network halted long-distance and regional trains from 17:00 on 8 January, citing safety concerns over fallen debris and overhead-line damage. TER Pays de la Loire and Brittany lines also imposed speed restrictions and selective cancellations, and Eurostar warned of knock-on delays into Paris. French civil-protection services reported 28 injuries and urged residents to stay indoors until orange wind alerts were lifted.([tsi.destineo.cityway.fr](https://tsi.destineo.cityway.fr/fr/infos-trafic/17/Disrupt/goretti-storm-weather-alert/details/91149?utm_source=openai))
For business travellers, the disruption extends beyond rail: several ports in Cherbourg and Saint-Malo suspended ferry departures, and trucking companies rerouted shipments away from closed autoroutes A13 and A84. Energy giant EDF said two reactors at the Flamanville nuclear plant went offline after a high-voltage line tripped, but insisted power supply to critical infrastructure remained secure.
![Storm Goretti knocks out power and halts Paris-Normandy trains, disrupting business travel]()
If you’re one of the many travellers now facing re-routed journeys or unexpected stopovers, VisaHQ can fast-track any visa extensions, passport renewals or travel-document replacements you might suddenly need. The service’s intuitive portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) links directly to French and foreign consulates, helping stranded visitors or business travellers handle paperwork without leaving their hotel lobby.
Many corporates invoked remote-work protocols. Logistics firms report 24- to 48-hour delays on time-sensitive deliveries, while relocation providers are rebooking orientation visits originally planned for this week. Companies with field staff in affected regions should remind employees to file ‘force majeure’ declarations with insurers and keep receipts for alternative travel or accommodation.
Météo-France kept 30 départements on orange snow-and-ice alert through Friday evening, warning that black ice could persist into the weekend. As the storm tracks east towards Germany, SNCF hopes to restart a skeleton service on the Paris–Rouen–Le Havre line by Saturday morning, subject to track inspections.
SNCF’s Nomad Train network halted long-distance and regional trains from 17:00 on 8 January, citing safety concerns over fallen debris and overhead-line damage. TER Pays de la Loire and Brittany lines also imposed speed restrictions and selective cancellations, and Eurostar warned of knock-on delays into Paris. French civil-protection services reported 28 injuries and urged residents to stay indoors until orange wind alerts were lifted.([tsi.destineo.cityway.fr](https://tsi.destineo.cityway.fr/fr/infos-trafic/17/Disrupt/goretti-storm-weather-alert/details/91149?utm_source=openai))
For business travellers, the disruption extends beyond rail: several ports in Cherbourg and Saint-Malo suspended ferry departures, and trucking companies rerouted shipments away from closed autoroutes A13 and A84. Energy giant EDF said two reactors at the Flamanville nuclear plant went offline after a high-voltage line tripped, but insisted power supply to critical infrastructure remained secure.
If you’re one of the many travellers now facing re-routed journeys or unexpected stopovers, VisaHQ can fast-track any visa extensions, passport renewals or travel-document replacements you might suddenly need. The service’s intuitive portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) links directly to French and foreign consulates, helping stranded visitors or business travellers handle paperwork without leaving their hotel lobby.
Many corporates invoked remote-work protocols. Logistics firms report 24- to 48-hour delays on time-sensitive deliveries, while relocation providers are rebooking orientation visits originally planned for this week. Companies with field staff in affected regions should remind employees to file ‘force majeure’ declarations with insurers and keep receipts for alternative travel or accommodation.
Météo-France kept 30 départements on orange snow-and-ice alert through Friday evening, warning that black ice could persist into the weekend. As the storm tracks east towards Germany, SNCF hopes to restart a skeleton service on the Paris–Rouen–Le Havre line by Saturday morning, subject to track inspections.
