The Great Gale of the Millennium 25-28 December 1999

Background The Great Gale of the Millennium affected a large area of Europe – especially the Bordeaux region of France. There were 4 storms in quick succession. 2 of the storms – named Lothar and Martin – caused lots of damage in central and western Europe. The storms happened between 25-28 December 1999. Weather forecasters were blamed for not predicting how serious it was going to be. The occluded front brought very bad weather – rain, wind, low temperatures. There were winds speeds up to 107 mph . Image of the barograph from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport 25 - 27 December 1999

The Great Gale of the Millennium affected a large area of Europe – especially the Bordeaux region of France.

There were 4 storms in quick succession.

2 of the storms – named Lothar and Martin – caused lots of damage in central and western Europe.

The storms happened between 25-28 December 1999.

Weather forecasters were blamed for not predicting how serious it was going to be.

The occluded front brought very bad weather – rain, wind, low temperatures.

There were winds speeds up to 107 mph .

The effects of the storm in France Killed 90 people in France, 150 overall across Europe. Left 8 million without electricity. 500,000 households in France still without electricity after a week. Uprooted millions of trees – 4% of French forests destroyed. Electric repairs of £1.2 billion (1.8 billion Euros). Telephone system repairs £100 million (150 million Euros). £100 million (150 million Euros) to repair schools. In France, 1 in 12 schools were damaged. Road and bridge repairs needed. Transport disrupted for several weeks. Historic monuments cost £80 million (120 million Euros) to repair. Versailles park & roof cost £27 million to repair. Overall damage estimated to exceed £6 billion (7.5 billion Euros) The remains of a forest on the Isle of Oleron (France) after Martin

Killed 90 people in France, 150 overall across Europe.

Left 8 million without electricity.

500,000 households in France still without electricity after a week.

Uprooted millions of trees – 4% of French forests destroyed.

Electric repairs of £1.2 billion (1.8 billion Euros).

Telephone system repairs £100 million (150 million Euros).

£100 million (150 million Euros) to repair schools.

In France, 1 in 12 schools were damaged.

Road and bridge repairs needed.

Transport disrupted for several weeks.

Historic monuments cost £80 million (120 million Euros) to repair.

Versailles park & roof cost £27 million to repair.

Overall damage estimated to exceed £6 billion (7.5 billion Euros)

Damage across Europe Atlantic coast of France – oil washed ashore from wreck of tanker Erica Paris – 100,000 trees uprooted Notre Dame, Versailles damaged. France – 33 dead/1.5 million without power Italian Alps – 4 climbers killed in an avalanche Switzerland – 11 killed Austria – 140mph winds/avalanche warnings Euro Disney – Theme park shut/hotels and evacuated Germany – 17 killed – ‘worst hurricane ever’ Britain – 5 killed on land/2 died in the storms in channel Belgium – flood alerts as river overflows NB. The storm moved west to east across Europe

Atlantic coast of France – oil washed ashore from wreck of tanker Erica

Paris – 100,000 trees uprooted Notre Dame, Versailles damaged.

France – 33 dead/1.5 million without power

Italian Alps – 4 climbers killed in an avalanche

Switzerland – 11 killed

Austria – 140mph winds/avalanche warnings

Euro Disney – Theme park shut/hotels and evacuated

Germany – 17 killed – ‘worst hurricane ever’

Britain – 5 killed on land/2 died in the storms in channel

Belgium – flood alerts as river overflows

NB. The storm moved west to east across Europe

Quick quiz Q: When did the depression occur? A: December 1999 Q: What type of front brought the bad weather? A: occluded front Q: What was the maximum wind speed that occurred? A: 107mph

Q: When did the depression occur?

A: December 1999

Q: What type of front brought the bad weather?

A: occluded front

Q: What was the maximum wind speed that occurred?

A: 107mph

Quick quiz Q: How many people did the storm kill? A: 90 Q: How many people were left without electricity? A: 8 million Q: How much will it cost for the electrics to be repaired A: £1.2 billion

Q: How many people did the storm kill?

A: 90

Q: How many people were left without electricity?

A: 8 million

Q: How much will it cost for the electrics to be repaired

A: £1.2 billion

Quick quiz Q: Can you name 3 different countries that were affected by the storm and how they were?

Q: Can you name 3 different countries that were affected by the storm and how they were?