Violent Weather in Europe

[Mercy Now]

 

Thousands of rescue workers in France are continuing to search for survivors after violent storms on Saturday devastated large parts of western Europe.

With at least 50 people killed, France’s Atlantic coast was hardest hit by the storm, known as Xynthia.

Hurricane-force winds flooded ports and destroyed homes, leaving a million households without electricity and with little else.

Emergency shelters will now be home for some survivors, many of whom have harrowing tales of how they made it through the night.

“We managed to smash a hole in the roof and stay in the attic. We’re a family of four and we waited until the next morning, hoping that the water level would go down but it continued to rise apparently,” said one man.

But others were not so lucky. Single storey houses were submerged within minutes.

Initial reports suggested the damage was caused by an rare combination of 160-kilometre per hour winds and a high tide. Together the wind and water smashed sea walls, turning the western Vendée region into a flood zone.

 http://www.euronews.net/2010/03/01/franc...dly-storm/

At least four people were killed in Germany as storm Xynthia continued east across Europe.

A 69-year-old man was killed when his car was hit by a tree in the Black Forest, a jogger and a rambler were killed in separate incidents in Bergheim and Bad Schwalbach.

Peter Hartmann, meteorologist at the German weather centre advised people to stay away from wooded areas.

“With this sort of weather it’s always best to stay at home if that is at all possible. On no account should people be driving through forests, some streets have been closed off anyway. So whoever can should stay at home,” he said.

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At least four people were killed in Germany as storm Xynthia continued east across Europe.

A 69-year-old man was killed when his car was hit by a tree in the Black Forest, a jogger and a rambler were killed in separate incidents in Bergheim and Bad Schwalbach.

Peter Hartmann, meteorologist at the German weather centre advised people to stay away from wooded areas.

“With this sort of weather it’s always best to stay at home if that is at all possible. On no account should people be driving through forests, some streets have been closed off anyway. So whoever can should stay at home,” he said.

 
At least four people were killed in Germany as storm Xynthia continued east across Europe.

A 69-year-old man was killed when his car was hit by a tree in the Black Forest, a jogger and a rambler were killed in separate incidents in Bergheim and Bad Schwalbach.

Peter Hartmann, meteorologist at the German weather centre advised people to stay away from wooded areas.

“With this sort of weather it’s always best to stay at home if that is at all possible. On no account should people be driving through forests, some streets have been closed off anyway. So whoever can should stay at home,” he said.
http://www.euronews.net/2010/03/01/four-...s-germany/