in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais, snow wreaks havoc and leaves at least two dead

WEATHER – A thick and dangerous white coat. Since Wednesday January 8 in the evening, the snow has been falling in large flakes in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais, placed on orange snow-ice alert until midday this Thursday 9. Météo France indicates in its 6 a.m. bulletin that the “total accumulations are 2 to 5 cm on the hills of Artois and 1 to 3 cm in Flanders”. At the same time, in addition to the Somme also in orange for snow and ice, five departments in the north-west quarter are also placed on orange alert for the risk of flooding, such as Vendée and Deux-Sèvres.

The prefect of the North defense and security zone, Bertrand Gaume, indicated this Thursday morning on France info that two people had died in the bad weather in the North. One fell fatally on a sidewalk in Croix, near Lille. The other death concerns a homeless person, who died of hypothermia in Valenciennois.

And in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais therefore, the traffic conditions being very difficult, several accidents also took place, including one during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, which left three people injured, including two seriously, on the road. commune of Marck (Pas-de-Calais), indicated the prefecture. A second accident occurred during the night on the A23 in the North and caused a few minor injuries.

Power outages and public transport at a standstill

“A few other minor material accidents also took place, mainly on the secondary network”further specify the local authorities in a press release.

On BFMTVthe prefect Bertrand Gaume also drew up a complete assessment, indicating that at this stage, there is “55 relative emergencies, very minor injuries, including 36 in the North and 16 in Pas-de-Calais”.

Power outages also affect several sectors: those of Arras, Béthune, Lens and Calais with 1,000 households affected, according to the prefecture.

School transport and intercity bus transport lines remain at a standstill on Thursday in the two departments of northern France, after being suspended on Wednesday, the Hauts-de-France Region said. Removals of regional express trains (TER) and disruptions “are to be expected” Thursday morning in the north of Hauts-de-France, also warned the SNCF on X (formerly Twitter).

Heavy goods vehicle traffic partially prohibited

This winter episode is “not exceptional for the regions concerned”more “significant enough to make driving conditions difficult”also noted Météo France.

The circulation of heavy goods vehicles is therefore prohibited. “across the entire secondary road network” until Thursday noon, according to an order from the prefectures of the two departments in question. The speed of vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes has also been lowered by 20 km/h on the motorways and national roads of Hauts-de-France.

For vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes, overtaking has been prohibited and the maximum authorized speed capped at 80 km/h on motorways and national roads throughout the region, according to the same prefectural decree.

In Lille and Seclin, the snow which covered roofs and sidewalks with a fine white coat on Wednesday evening, fell again on Thursday morning, as you can see in the images below.

Risk of frost on Friday and further disruption

Over the entire episode, snow depths could reach ten centimeters in some places. Very occasionally up to fifteen centimeters are possible on the relief of Boulonnais.

During the night from Thursday to Friday, “temperatures will become significantly negative in Hauts-de-France”it will therefore be necessary “be particularly attentive to the risk of road refreezing”also warned Météo France.

On Friday, a new disturbance will approach the northwest of the country, according to Météo France. Snowfall is expected “along an axis going from Normandy to Burgundy” et “a worsening level of alertness snow-ice is possible.” Furthermore, the national forecaster also expects “ significant snowfall in the Alps.