Storm Austen wreaked havoc across Normandy and Brittany, damaging thousands of homes and historic religious sites, including churches and cathedrals.
Storm Austen damages homes and infrastructure
Storm Austen, which passed through Normandy and Brittany on October 23 and 24, caused widespread damage, including collapsed roofs, blocked roads, and power outages. As of October 26, over 19,000 homes in the regions were still without electricity, according to Enedis, the electricity distribution company.Churches suffer significant damage
Religious buildings were among the hardest hit, with several churches sustaining major damage. In Urville-Bocage, the Saint-Julien church lost about 80 square meters of its roof, which fell onto the cemetery below. In Bodilis, Brittany, the Notre-Dame church had its bell tower spire and a stained-glass window damaged.Efforts to secure and repair damaged sites
To address immediate risks, officials in Bodilis brought in a rope access technician to remove a damaged rooster from the spire and temporarily reattach a lightning rod. The opening in the stained-glass window was sealed, and a roofer inspected the roof. A preventive repair plan is being prepared to replace missing slates.Notre-Dame de Timadeuc abbey affected
The Notre-Dame de Timadeuc abbey in Bréhan, Morbihan, also suffered damage when part of the roof of the church’s porch tower was torn away. The site was secured quickly, and the abbey remained open for community services. The abbey expressed prayers for storm victims and those helping them.Wind damage on the island of Hoëdic
In the south of Brittany, on the island of Hoëdic, the cross atop the Notre-Dame-la-Blanche church bent due to strong winds. Wind speeds of up to 130 km/h were recorded at the Cardinals Lighthouse on the island.Cathedrals and churches face wind-related issues
In the Hauts-de-France region, the Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Beauvais had a large protective tarp partially torn off by strong winds. This was a repeat of a similar incident during Storm Renata in April 2024. The cathedral was briefly closed but later reopened. In Steenwerck, a dial of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church clock was damaged by the wind.
