BRUSSELS — Storm Goretti swept across Belgium on Friday, bringing heavy rain, snow, and strong winds, prompting authorities to issue multiple weather warnings and deploy emergency services across the region.
The Royal Meteorological Institute (IRM) forecasted rainfall turning to snow by late morning in the High Fens, gradually spreading to the Sambre and Meuse valleys. Temperatures were expected to drop to 0°C in the High Fens, 2°C in central areas, and up to 6°C along the coast.
Strong south-westerly winds with gusts of 80–90 km/h inland, and potentially higher in isolated areas, posed additional risks, particularly during the morning hours.
By Friday night, cloudy skies with continued precipitation were expected, with southern and eastern regions bracing for heavy rainfall, while snow was forecast south of the Sambre and Meuse valley.
Authorities issued a yellow alert for wind and rain, and an orange alert for slippery conditions, focusing particularly on the provinces of Namur, Liège, and Luxembourg. The Road Action Cell (CAR) implemented reinforced vigilance measures in Wallonia starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, in anticipation of significant snow accumulation.
Brussels firefighters responded to around 30 incidents linked to strong winds, with no injuries reported. Twenty-five cases involved fallen trees or broken branches, some causing damage to vehicles.
A van on Avenue Louise was struck by a falling branch, leading to a temporary partial closure of the avenue. Fire crews also dealt with eight instances of flooded streets caused by blocked drains. Initial assessments suggested that the strongest gusts had passed, though teams remained on standby for further incidents.
Across the border in France, the storm caused widespread electricity outages. Approximately 380,000 households were left without power early on Friday morning, particularly in Normandy where 266,200 homes were affected.
Brittany, Picardy, and Ile-de-France also reported outages, impacting tens of thousands of customers. French authorities confirmed no serious injuries in early assessments, though wind speeds reportedly exceeded 200 km/h in some areas.
Traffic disruptions were widespread in Belgium. On the E40 near Affligem, a fallen tree blocked two lanes, causing delays of up to 75 minutes for commuters heading towards Brussels.
Similarly, the E19 near Zemst experienced congestion following the fall of two trees around 7:15 a.m., with motorists stuck for approximately 45 minutes before the roads were cleared. Updates on traffic conditions are being provided via Wallonia’s official websites trafiroutes.wallonie.be and inforoutes.be.
Meteorologists warn that Storm Goretti may continue to affect both Belgium and northern France into Saturday morning, with further precipitation, strong winds, and slippery conditions.
Residents are advised to exercise caution on the roads, secure loose outdoor objects, and monitor local weather updates. Emergency services remain on high alert to respond to new incidents as the storm moves through the region.
