LILLE: Storm winds gusting up to 160 kilometres (100 miles) per hour on Saturday forced the temporary closure of France's port of Calais on the English Channel and the suspension of car ferries to and from Britain, officials said.
Ferry and port traffic was halted for just under two hours, with normal operations resuming at 900 GMT, according to the harbour master's office.
Officials stopped traffic around 710 GMT after a car ferry exiting the port was forced to turn back because the high winds prevented it from being able to safely cross the channel.
Gusts were still reaching 90 kilometres per hour by mid-day, though the storm was expected to weaken.
The high winds had downed trees and power lines in the area as well as reportedly toppled part of the metal fence erected to keep UK-bound illegal immigrants from getting into the port at Calais.
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