Storm Bella has left around 10,000 homes without electricity in the French regions of Normandy and Brittany, according to the power distributor Enedis. Powerful wind gusts of up to 120 km/h have been registered on the French coast. Numerous photos and videos, shared by people online show the devastating strength of the storm.
Les premières images de la tempête #Bella en Vendée #vendee #TempeteBella pic.twitter.com/SUMOYclW3P
— Ouest-France 85 (@OuestFrance85) December 27, 2020
Taking the plane during a storm, what could go wrong? 😅 (Alt text: video of storm Bella in Loire Atlantique, France) pic.twitter.com/B3sSuWyVyQ
— Mathilde Ferrand (@mathoucdry) December 27, 2020
#TempeteBella. Les équipes d’Enedis sont mobilisées pour rétablir 6000 clients privés d’électricité à la mi-journée en #Normandie. Des vents violents sont prévus jusqu’à ce soir. Signalez tout incident à Enedis en appelant le 09 726 750 + chiffres département. #servicepublic pic.twitter.com/W1BId3SghH
— Enedis en Normandie (@enedis_normand) December 27, 2020
Previously, the storm git hit the UK overnight, unleashing heavy rains and winds across Wales and southern England. Mass blackouts were registered in the Plymouth and Truro areas, as well as in Bristol and Bath. Yellow warnings (for rain) and amber warnings (for intense rains and disruptive winds) have been issued across the whole of the United Kingdom.
The Isle of Wight saw the most powerful winds, reaching 106 mph (170 kph).
Authorities also declared two "threat to life" flood notices.
QT22 🚔 Storm Bella 🌪💨 has played havoc on Essex's roads tonight, severe Flooding 🌊and Fallen trees have caused several RTC's, please drive to the conditions, this driver found the Armco wins every time, thankfully not injured. @EP_RPU_South pic.twitter.com/p9IEulhas7
— BLUE ROCKET 🚀 (@BlueRocket77) December 27, 2020
The horses knew what was going on.#StormBella #StormHour pic.twitter.com/dW3BacNY9n
— JAKE (@JAKES_PHOTOS) December 27, 2020
Streets turn to rivers with Storm Bella #StormBella #floods #heavyrain pic.twitter.com/bZtBuQl9y9
— Scott (@scott180142) December 27, 2020
Many Britons, however, preferred to joke about the "bad weather", sharing classic memes about the raging storm.
Thanks #StormBella its not like I needed any sleep really. I'm going to be a walking zombie at work. pic.twitter.com/eJEYTg36AB
— Jacky (@Buttersmith) December 27, 2020
Aldington Kent right now.#stormbella pic.twitter.com/hFTDCJBC2H
— Chizzy 22 (@Cheech69670973) December 27, 2020
#StormBella wreaks havoc across #London absolute carnage!!! pic.twitter.com/ukz414izuk
— Keep it real like Ian Beale (@narkyb1) December 27, 2020