At least one person has died and more than a million households were left without electricity in France on Thursday morning as Storm Ciaran struck western Europe overnight, bringing some of the highest wind speeds the region has witnessed in decades, Ednews informs via France 24.

In France, the north-west coast was hit by violent gales as wind speeds of up to 207 km/h were recorded on the Pointe du Raz, in the Finistère department in Brittany.

The storm has left 1.2 million homes without electricity in France, 780 000 of which are located in Brittany, energy provider Enedis said Thursday morning.

Transport Minister Clément Beaune told Franceinfo radio on Thursday that a truck driver had died in the Aisne department northeast of Paris when a tree fell on his truck.

"This shows that even in regions that are not on red alert, there is a very high risk on the road," Beaune said.

The storm is forecast to move inland later on Thursday. A total of 31 French departments have been placed on “orange alert” for dangerous weather.

Waves of eight to ten metres are expected in certain areas along the Atlantic. A “violent wind” warning is in place in Paris.

Widespread travel disruption is expected until Friday morning, with multiple airports and train lines closed throughout France.

The storm is set to hit multiple countries in western Europe.

The UK's Met Office issued severe weather warnings for winds of about 80 miles per hour (128km/h) or more in coastal areas on Wednesday night and through Thursday.

The Channel Islands and the east of England are set to bear the brunt of the wind and rain, although much of the south and southeast will also be pummeled with heavier-than-normal wind and rain.