Cyclone Joachim

Cyclone Joachim

Wind map of the storm Joachim approaching the French coast on 15 December 2011
Type	European windstorm extratropical cyclone
Formed	15 December 2011
Dissipated	22 December 2011
Lowest pressure	966 mbar
Highest gust	212 km/h (131 mph)
Areas affected	British Isles, Spain, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland

Joachim^[1] is the name given to a European windstorm which caused major damage in much of Western Europe between December 16–17, 2011. Winds gusting to 212 km/h (132 mph) were recorded on the summit of Puy de Dome in France.^[2][3]

Impact

In Brittany, on the north-western coast of France, the cargo ship TK Bremen was blown aground. The nineteen-man crew was evacuated by helicopter, and the ship later disassembled.^[4] Major damage occurred on the Spanish coast.

At least 400,000 people were without power in France.^[5]

In the canton of Bern in Switzerland, a train was derailed between Tramelan and Tavannes by a tree that fell immediately in front of the train. The forward cars plunged into the forest. Miraculously, only three passengers suffered minor injuries.

Roofs and trees were blown away, and all navigation on the Swiss lakes was closed.^[6]

The wind was followed by polar air, and the rain turning to snow at high altitudes and descending into the plain caused serious conditions. Most of the major ski resorts in Valais were closed, as well as numerous roads and tunnels.

Air traffic was affected.^[7]

Aftermath

According to Perils AG, property insurers may face costs of €300 million from the storm.^[8]

Beached TK Bremen

References

1. "2011 Low Pressure Area naming lists". FU-Berlin. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
2. "La tempête Joachim des 15 et 16 décembre 2011". Meteo France. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
3. "Severe Storm Joachim Unleashes Hurricane Force Winds". accuweather.com. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
4. Coverage on francetv.fr
5. "STORM CAUSES BLACKOUT IN NORTH-WEST OF FRANCE". AGI. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
6. "Storm Joachim arrives in Switzerland". swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
7. "Power cuts, oil spills and cancelled trains as Storm Joachim lashes France". rfi.fr. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
8. "Storm Joachim May Cost Insurers 300 Million Euros, Perils Says". Bloomberg. Retrieved 13 February 2012.