Thursday 18 January 2007

Stormy weather

Although the Western Isles were not affected by today's major storm, the rest of the UK has had a big dose of it. Scotland had its first major fall of snow this year, and England was on the receiving end of 60 to 100 mph winds. Seven people are reported to have lost their lives in various incidents, among them a child of 2 that was crushed under a collapsing wall.

The storm is now wreaking havoc on the continent. Coastal weather stations in Holland are reporting winds at force 10 on the Beaufort scale, with gusts in excess of 60 knots. The evening high tide is expected some 3.5 to 3.8 metres (about 12 feet) higher than normal, prompting a coastal defense alert in the north of the country.

Germany is affected by gales, with winds gusting up to 60 knots as well. Five people died in the Netherlands through falling trees, and a crane collapsed in the city of Utrecht on top of a university building. Several were taken to hospital with injuries, none of these life threatening. Rail services have been suspended in Holland and parts of Germany for the rest of the evening.

Below pictures were taken from a Dutch newspaper's website, and from the website of German broadcaster ARD.


Crane collapsed on top of university building in Utrecht, Holland


Lorry has overturned on the A71 motorway in Germany


High seas batter the seafront at Wimereux, between Calais and Boulogne in northwestern France.

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9 comments:

  1. Anonymous18 January 2007 at 20:43

    Those storms are really wrecking things. Helen

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  2. Anonymous18 January 2007 at 22:09

    Oh wow Guido.....the pic of the waves in France remind me of our beaches during hurricane season! How tragic the weather is and how stupid some people are in not confronting the issues of global warming...it's a fact most people just want to play ignorant to!
    Con Te Partiro , Hugs and stay warm in your beautiful country,
    Doreen

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  3. Anonymous18 January 2007 at 22:48

    Wow rough weather.  Sunny, calm, cool here with the hint of a breeze.  I'll take it.  I do hope nobody else gets hurt or worse.
    Pam

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  4. Anonymous19 January 2007 at 01:38

    Guido I was able to get on for a few minutes earlier today and get a peek at the new webcam.  I looked good, and yes, the lens is wider than the old one.  I do hope folks in the UK stay safe during this major storm and those in the rest of Europe, as well.  When you are enduring hurricane force winds, it makes little difference at the time that you are not really experiencing a hurricane.
    Sam

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  5. Anonymous19 January 2007 at 03:19

    Wow, this second photo is very dramatic.  One of the most dramatic of a storm I have seen.  I would be scared living that close to the sea.  Gerry

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  6. Anonymous19 January 2007 at 05:43

    The pictures remind me of the way it was here in Washington the week of December 14th (when my porch roof sailed away) .  There was a crane east of Seattle that toppled into an aprtment building, killing a man in his bed.   The big surf, the trees down, the turned over vehicles...it's all a reminder of a scary time.  I'm so sorry Europe has to go thru this too.   Isn't it time for summer?    Linda in Washington state

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  7. Anonymous19 January 2007 at 11:15

    The sea in Brighton looked rough yesterday, I wouldn't venture down there though, too many people think it's fun to stand on the beach in this weather and watch it, they don't seem to realise the danger they put themselves and others in! The pics are amazing aren't they? Jeannette xx  

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  8. Anonymous19 January 2007 at 14:54

    I've seen many of these photos on other British journals.  That was one bad storm...take care,
    Joyce

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  9. Anonymous21 January 2007 at 12:43

    I've been reading about those gales and the havoc.  We get enornmous winds in the area I live in.  I hate that worse than anything.  My pooch can pick up on the dangerous winds.  When he starts to pace, I get nervous.  Those pictures are worth a thousand words.  Chris

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