Xynthia hits Western Europe

A storm named Xynthia has hit Western Europe today. French Prime Miniter Francois Fillon has declared i a national catastrophe and the storm has claimed at least 45 lives in France.

The storm with hurricane-strength winds has brought down trees and power lines and caused heavy flooding in places. At least 1 million households were without electricity on Sunday afternoon. Winds up to 200 km/h were measured.

Deaths have also been reported from Spain, Portugal, Germany, England and Belgium, mostly caused by falling trees.

The storm Xynthia is moving north towards Belgium, Luxemburg and Scandinavia.