Severe winter weather system swept across the UK and northern France over the weekend, triggering massive power failures that left tens of thousands of residents in the dark. High winds combined with heavy snowfall caused extensive damage to power lines, forcing energy companies to deploy emergency crews amid challenging conditions. Local authorities have issued warnings to remain indoors as restoration efforts continue, with some areas expected to face outages lasting into the middle of the week. Transport networks also suffered delays and cancellations, further complicating recovery operations.

Key impacts reported include:

  • Over 70,000 homes and businesses affected in the UK alone
  • Multiple road closures due to fallen trees and icy conditions
  • Emergency shelters opened in major cities across both countries
  • Power companies prioritizing hospitals and critical infrastructure for restoration
Region Estimated Outages Response…