A powerful storm swept through Casablanca on November 11, 2026, causing a massive power outage that affected several neighborhoods in the city. The storm, known as Storm Charles, brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, which damaged four high-voltage power lines that supply electricity to the city. The outage occurred at around 4:55 pm and affected areas including the city center, Mâarif, El Fida, and Ain Chock.
According to the Moroccan National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE), the incident was unprecedented and caused by the severe weather conditions. The four damaged power lines, which operate at 225 kV, are responsible for providing primary and backup power to the Ouled Haddou and Dar Bouazza substations. The ONEE quickly activated its crisis management cell and mobilized technical teams to restore power as soon as possible.
The power outage affected not only Casablanca but also several areas in the province of Nouaceur, including Bouskoura, Ouled Azzouz, and Dar Bouazza. The ONEE worked closely with local authorities and the Casablanca-Settat Regional Multi-Service Company (SRM) to restore power quickly. The SRM also activated its crisis management system and deployed teams to work with the ONEE to resolve the issue.
Power was partially restored to some areas by 6:23 pm, and full power was restored to all affected substations by 8:54 pm. The ONEE apologized to citizens and users affected by the outage and praised the quick response of its teams, who worked in challenging weather conditions. The office also maintained a heightened state of alertness until the end of the storm.
The Casablanca-Settat Regional Multi-Service Company (SRM) confirmed that the power outage was caused by the strong winds and storms affecting the region. The company worked closely with the ONEE to restore power and implemented measures to minimize the impact of the outage on its customers. The SRM also echoed the ONEE's apology to those affected by the outage.
The Moroccan Directorate General of Meteorology had issued an orange alert for 51 provinces, including Casablanca, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds. The storm caused significant disruptions to daily life in Casablanca, but the quick response of the ONEE and SRM teams helped to minimize the impact.
The incident highlights the importance of robust infrastructure and effective crisis management in the face of severe weather conditions. The ONEE and SRM demonstrated their ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, ensuring that power was restored to affected areas as soon as possible.
Key points
- Storm Charles damaged four high-voltage power lines, causing a widespread power outage in Casablanca.
- The ONEE and SRM worked together to restore power quickly, with partial power restored by 6:23 pm and full power restored by 8:54 pm.
- The incident was caused by strong winds and storms affecting the region, with the ONEE and SRM apologizing to those affected by the outage.
