A powerful Atlantic weather system dubbed Storm 'Charles' has battered the Kingdom of Morocco, unleashing torrential downpours, violent thunderstorms, and hurricane-force winds that have severely disrupted daily life across several major cities, including Casablanca, Tangier, and Agadir. The severe meteorological event prompted immediate emergency responses from national authorities, local municipalities, and specialized utility services as the country confronted one of the most intense weather episodes of the season.
Unprecedented Winds, Rainfall, and Infrastructure Impact in Casablanca
The economic capital of Morocco, Casablanca, experienced the brunt of the storm's fury on Wednesday evening, suffering a massive, rare power blackout that plunged large residential and commercial sectors into darkness. According to the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) and the regional multi-service company SRM Casablanca-Settat, violent wind gusts and severe lightning damaged four distinct 225 kV high-tension power lines simultaneously. This extraordinary infrastructure failure cut off the primary and secondary power feeds to the Dar Bouazza and Ouled Haddou electrical substations.
Local leaders, including Casablanca Mayor Nabila Rmili, issued public apologies to residents for the severe disruptions. Emergency crisis teams, operating under the direct supervision of the Wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, Mohamed Mhidia, and ONEE chief Tarik Hamane, mobilized swiftly. Power was progressively restored to neighborhoods such as Californie, Bachkou, and Mandarouna, with full electricity restoration achieved by late evening. Tragically, however, the severe gales also caused structural damage, including a fatal wall collapse at the Abdellah Guennoune high school in the Salmia district, which resulted in one fatality and a serious injury.
Aviation was equally impacted when an Air France Airbus A220-300 operating flight AF1196 from Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle to Casablanca was forced to abort its landing at Mohammed V International Airport due to 34-knot crosswinds. The aircraft safely diverted to Rabat-Salé Airport, prioritizing passenger and crew safety.
Widespread Deluges and Preventive Measures Across Moroccan Regions
Beyond Casablanca, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) recorded staggering precipitation and wind anomalies across the country. In the Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane prefecture, weather stations in Imouzzer Ida Outanane registered cumulative rainfall exceeding 100 mm—fifteen times the volume recorded in Casablanca during the same timeframe. Meanwhile, coastal and northern hubs like Tangier faced severe urban flooding, particularly in the Bni Makada and Riad Tétouan districts, as overflowing local riverbeds transformed streets into raging torrents.
To safeguard students and educational staff, provincial directorates of the Ministry of National Education enacted widespread precautionary school suspensions. Classes were halted across ten provinces and prefectures, including Tétouan, Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Larache, Ouezzane, Fahs-Anjra, M’diq-Fnideq, and Sidi Bennour. Red weather alerts issued by the DGM warned of rainfall accumulations reaching up to 110 mm in specific northern and coastal zones.
National Resilience and Emergency Preparedness
The swift mobilization of Morocco's civil protection units, local authorities, and specialized technical teams highlights the Kingdom's robust crisis management framework during extreme weather anomalies. While Storm 'Charles' demonstrated the sheer destructive potential of Atlantic depressions, coordinated multi-agency response efforts successfully minimized further casualties, restored critical infrastructure within hours, and ensured public safety through proactive administrative measures. Meteorological services indicate that conditions are expected to stabilize gradually across the nation as the weekend approaches.
As reported by fr.le360.ma.
