Storm Eunice: More high winds expected in Europe

By Vatican News staff reporter

Parts of Europe are facing a massive clean-up operation after a major storm ripped into northern countries on Friday killing a number of people.

High winds led to train services and air travel being canceled.

Homes without power

In the UK, the storm caused £500 million worth of damage and more than 220,000 homes were left without power.

Britain's Energy Networks Association said that its members had reconnected 1.2 million customers but about 226,000 remained without electricity, mostly across southern England but also in the east of the country and in South Wales.

Storm Eunice left destruction in its wake. Gaping holes could be seen at London’s O2 concert Arena as it was ripped apart. In Somerset, a church spire fell amid high winds.

It was the second major storm to hit Europe in three days and the strongest ever recorded in England.

Deaths in Europe

At least three people died in Britain, including a man in southern England who was killed when a car hit a tree. Another man was killed when his windshield was struck by debris in northwest England and a woman in her 30s died in London when a tree fell on a car,

In the Netherlands, three people were killed in and around Amsterdam and a fourth man died in the northern province of Groningen after driving his car into a fallen tree.

Belgium and Ireland also suffered fatalities due to the severity of the storm.

Strong winds expected

The UK Met Office weather service said more strong winds would hit the southern coasts of England and Wales on Saturday, with the potential for further damage, while snow and ice could cause disruption further north.