Recording-breaking winds swept across France and western Europe, resulting in at least four deaths and several injuries as Storm Ciaran wreaked havoc. The storm brought winds of over 190 kilometers per hour, uprooting trees, blowing out windows, and causing damage to homes. One person was killed when a tree fell onto their truck, while another was badly injured at a university. Huge waves hit French ports and shorelines, while felled trees blocked roads. Approximately 1.2 million households were left without electricity, and local trains were canceled in many areas.
In Spain, heavy rains and gale force winds caused by the storm led to the death of a woman in Madrid after a tree fell on her. Parks were closed, and several trains and flights were canceled. Belgium also experienced strong winds, with one person in Ghent killed by a falling tree, and another injured. In Germany, a young woman was fatally injured by a falling tree in Rammelsberg. The storm also affected the United Kingdom, where roofs were blown off buildings, trees were toppled, and flooding occurred. Schools remained closed in some areas, and rail companies advised commuters to work from home to avoid potential dangers.
The Environment Agency in the UK warned of inland flooding and advised people to avoid driving through flood waters. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency urged people to stay away from the coast due to dangerous conditions. The Met Office reported that the mean sea level pressure reading for England and Wales in November was the lowest ever recorded. In the Channel Islands, winds of over 160 kilometers per hour caused damage to buildings, smashed windows, and canceled flights. Several people in the Netherlands were also hit by falling trees, leading to flight cancellations by national airline KLM.
The storm disrupted various events and activities planned in different countries. In the Netherlands, the national headwind cycling championship was canceled due to the strong winds. The event is typically held in extreme wind conditions, but the winds were deemed too dangerous for participants. The heart of the storm was expected to move eastward throughout the day, according to forecasters.