Storm Aurore was a notably early extratropical cyclone in late October 2021 that impacted several areas of Europe, causing substantial damages. The third named storm of the 2021–22 European windstorm season, Aurore was first noted on 20 October by Meteo France over the Atlantic Ocean, south of Ireland. As the system moved over central Europe on the next day, it subsequently merged with another extratropical cyclone named Hendrik before moving across central Europe, in which it brought several destruction across the region. It then was last noted on 23 October. Gusts of 175 km/h (109 mph) were recorded in an area in Normandy, the highest in association with the storm. Many trees across the affected areas felled, while over half a million people lost electricity. Public establishments were also closed as a precaution to winds and flooding. Flash floods also affected the U.K. and a total of six deaths were confirmed from the system: Four in Poland, one in the United Kingdom and another in Germany. Damages were estimated by the Aon Benfield at greater than or equal to $100 million.
Meteorological history
A strong extratropical cyclone over the north Atlantic Ocean was named Hendrik I by the Free University of Berlin on 16 October. At the same time, the FUB assigned another system near the cyclone Hendrik II. On the next day, the first system remained stationary over the central Atlantic, while the second one moved near France. Both systems interacted with each other on 18 October before the first cyclone became absorbed with the second, two days later. At that day, the Météo-France officially named it Aurore from its naming lists as it entered the English Channel as it continued to strengthen, unleashing powerful wind gusts across its path. It then entered the North Sea and swept northern Netherlands and Germany on the next day before moving northeastwards. It then was last noted on 23 October.
Impacts
France In France, storm warnings were put in place by the Météo-France for Aurore, with an orange wind warning being issued on 21 October. The cyclone first impacted the Atlantic coast of Brittany, downing and uprooting trees and damaging roofs across the area. In Fecamp, Normandy winds reached 175 kilometres per hour (109 mph), the highest in association with the storm. As of 21 October, power electric utility Enedis reported over 250,000 households that are without electricity due to Aurore. Along Normandy, Champagne-Ardennes, Paris, and Île-de-France, train services were disrupted while an under-construction house in Plozévet, Finistère. Granville, Manche reported gusts of 143 kilometres per hour (89 mph) and Groix, Morbihan at 134 kilometres per hour (83 mph). Telephone lines were also affected and several bridges across the affected portion of the country were unpassable for vehicles or their lanes being closed. High tides also inundated several stores at Landerneau, Finistère. Three tornadoes, likely spawned by the storm were recorded in Plozévet, Riec-sur-Belon and Kernascléden. The overall catastrophe was caught many French people in surprise.
United Kingdom A yellow rainfall warning was issued for the United Kingdom for Aurore until 21 October. Flood warnings were also established due to the storm. The Thames Barrier was closed on that day to refrain London from possible flooding. The Essex fire service reported over 120 calls due to flooding incidents. A section of the M23 motorway between Crawley and Pease Pottage was also closed as a result of flooding. More than 50 millimetres (2 in) of rainfall from the storm impacted portions of Southern England, with Somerset at 51.4 millimetres (2.02 in) from 20–21 October and Knockholt, Kent at 58 millimetres (2.3 in). A man in East Grinstead, West Sussex was killed while two others were injured seriously and another two, minor due to a car accident when his car smashed into a tree. Two more cars collided with each other in Farnborough, Hants, but it is unknown whether it caused fatalities or additional injuries. In total, 53 red flood warnings and 117 flood alerts were implemented in the country. In Woking, high winds caused cladding panels from the under construction Victoria Square skyscraper to fall to the street, resulting in evacuations but no injuries. Meanwhile, as the storm impacted the country, snow hit the northern portion of the UK due to a passing cold front, but no damage was reported as of 21 October. East Sussex also saw a landslide between the rail stations of Crowborough and Uckfield. Across the Channel Islands, several trees were felled and a lifeguard house was blown by the cyclone's winds.
Czech Republic Aurore left over 270,000 households in the country without a power supply, which further rose to 300,000 as of 21 October. This number was mainly focused at the Central Bohemian Region. Transportation services were also affected significantly, due to roadways being blocked by downed trees and railway lines. Several passengers at Prague Václav Havel Airport were also stranded due to strong winds from the storm, preventing them to board safely. The ČEZ Distribuce declared the aforementioned region, Děčín, Česká Lípa, Chrudim, Pardubice, Trutnov, Náchod and Havlíčkův Brod due to the storm's damages. Firefighters also moved and destroyed the trees in Karlovy Vary that are obstructing to roads. Loose metal sheets and even a roof of a kindergarten school were also a problem for them. All three zoos in Ústí nad Labem were also closed. Two people was injured due to a tree smashing their car. Winds of over 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) impacted the country.
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