Storm Benjamin, a powerful Atlantic weather system, swept across Western Europe this week, leaving a trail of destruction, travel chaos, and tragic loss in its wake. On Thursday, October 23, 2025, the storm battered France, the Netherlands, the UK, and Belgium with hurricane-force winds, torrential rain, and coastal flooding. The aftermath has exposed the growing vulnerability of Europe’s infrastructure and daily life to increasingly severe weather events.
France bore the brunt of Storm Benjamin’s fury. According to MeteoFrance, the Normandy coast saw some of the worst effects, with wind speeds in Fecamp reaching up to 100 mph (161 km/h). The southeast fared no better; on the island of Corsica, gusts peaked at 104 mph (168 km/h), tragically claiming the life of a tourist. The Dune du Pilat, a popular tourist site southwest of Bordeaux, became a scene of nature’s raw power as relentless winds whipped sand across the landscape. Management at the site cautioned that conditions remained "very uncomfortable" for visitors due to the ongoing gusts. By Friday afternoon, 600 Corsican residents were still without power, a stark reminder of the storm’s lingering impact, as reported by EDF.
The havoc was not limited to France. The Netherlands, a country renowned for its mastery of water and wind, found itself at the mercy of Benjamin’s wrath. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, was forced to cancel more than 200 flights as winds reached speeds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h). The disruption affected approximately 32,000 passengers, with many more bracing for additional cancellations as the storm persisted. The Dutch meteorological agency issued an orange weather alert for the nation’s coastal regions, warning residents to brace for extreme conditions.
Schiphol’s operations ground to a near halt, with only a single east–west runway, the Buitenveldertbaan, in use at the height of the storm. Ground handling was suspended intermittently for safety, leading to mounting delays and crowded service desks as stranded travelers scrambled for rebooking options. KLM’s short-haul European network was hit especially hard, with flights to London, Paris, Dublin, Brussels, and Frankfurt among those grounded. The Dutch infrastructure ministry confirmed that train connections between Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague were also briefly disrupted by fallen trees and downed power lines, compounding the travel chaos.
London Heathrow Airport, another major European gateway, reported dozens of cancellations and lengthy delays as winds up to 50 mph (80 km/h) swept through southern England. The UK Met Office issued widespread yellow weather warnings for both wind and rain, urging residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys. Flights connecting London to Zurich, Milan, Dublin, Belfast, and Amsterdam were among those affected, with British Airways and easyJet bearing the brunt of the disruptions. Even local transport systems, including the Heathrow Express and segments of the London Underground, experienced slower service due to track-side debris and partial flooding near stations.
Elsewhere, Brussels Airport faced heavy gusts, with the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium recording wind speeds up to 40 mph (65 km/h). While the airport managed to maintain limited operations, minor delays accumulated throughout the afternoon, particularly for regional routes across northern France, Germany, and the UK. Belgium’s rail network also reported intermittent slowdowns as precautionary speed restrictions were implemented on select lines.
Across the continent, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) confirmed that more than 260 flights were canceled and nearly 900 delayed as Storm Benjamin’s effects rippled through major airports in Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Dublin, Zurich, and Geneva. Airlines most affected included KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France, and Swiss International Air Lines. Crosswind operations were temporarily suspended at several airports, and lightning risks forced ground crews to halt activities intermittently. Meteorologists expected conditions to ease gradually through Friday, with Amsterdam and Frankfurt projected to recover first, followed by London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Still, airlines warned of lingering disruptions as they repositioned aircraft and crews.
The timing of Storm Benjamin’s arrival could hardly have been worse for Europe’s busy autumn tourism season. Amsterdam’s tourism board acknowledged that last-minute cancellations were likely from weekend visitors, especially those unable to rearrange itineraries. London event organizers also reported lower attendance at Thursday’s cultural programs, largely due to transport complications and weather-related safety precautions. Hospitality analysts cautioned that while the immediate financial impact was localized, the frequency of such extreme weather events—possibly linked to changing climate patterns—poses mounting challenges for aviation and tourism industries.
Travelers across Europe were advised to reconfirm flight details directly with airlines, with most carriers waiving rebooking fees for affected customers until the weekend. The European Travel Information and Safety Network recommended factoring in potential delays to connecting trains and ferries. For those stranded in airports, officials urged patience and emphasized the importance of remaining in terminals rather than risking overland transfers in dangerous conditions.
In the realm of sports, Dutch football was not spared. Severe weather warnings forced authorities to reschedule matches on October 23. Feyenoord’s Europa League home match against Panathinaikos was moved to an earlier start, and AZ Alkmaar’s Conference League fixture was similarly brought forward. UEFA and the clubs agreed that the games could only proceed with these adjustments, reflecting the seriousness of the situation. Meanwhile, in the UK, a yellow weather warning for rain covered southern England, the east Midlands, parts of Wales, and Yorkshire, though warnings were later reduced as the storm moved on.
Monday had already seen nature’s fury unleashed elsewhere. In Val-d’Oise, northern France, a tornado tore through the town of Ermont, toppling cranes, damaging buildings, and uprooting trees. One person lost their life, and four others were critically injured. The same day, heavy showers and a possible tornado caused damage in Dereham, Norfolk, UK, though fortunately no injuries were reported. Later that week, northern France faced further deluges, with rainfall totals climbing to 40 mm in 24 hours and more than 100,000 homes losing power.
As the storm’s regional intensity diminished, the process of recovery began. Meteorological services forecasted that Storm Benjamin would weaken as it moved east into Germany and Denmark. Yet, residual effects—rerouted flights, missing crew connections, and overnight delays—were expected to persist into the weekend. The Dutch Safety Board and the UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that all scheduled flights adhered to strict weather-related safety regulations, with no injuries or safety incidents reported at airports as of Thursday night.
For thousands of travelers, residents, and businesses across Europe, Storm Benjamin was a forceful reminder of the region’s exposure to extreme weather. As Western Europe transitions from emergency response to operational recovery, vigilance and flexibility remain essential tools for navigating the unpredictable climate of modern travel.
