Eleven people are missing after heavy rain and flooding washed out bridges and roads, and put towns under several feet of water in England and Scotland. The storms were expected but their impact nevertheless caught many areas by surprise. Cumbria in England, on the border with Scotland, was the worst-hit area. Heavy rain and gale-force winds are forecast in the area and for much of the UK in the next few days. Flood alerts are continuing and some rail service is likely to be disrupted.
Just a week after Typhoon Ketsana caused massive flooding in the Philippines, including major flooding in the capital, Manila, Typhoon Parma hit land in Luzon late Saturday 3 October, promising to dump 20-50 cm new rain on the area. Winds of 145 kph, gusting up to 185, wreaked havoc, but the larger concern was more flooding and mudslides. Manila avoided a direct hit as the storm changed course, but northern regions are reporting heavy damage and four deaths. Al Jazeera, CNN
A devastating storm tore through southern Ontario, Canada 20 August, generating tornadoes along the way, several of which destroyed houses and flipped vehicles. One person was killed near Durham, Ontario. In Minneapolis, Minnesota, a violent storm struck unexpectedly Wednesday, 19 August, uprooting trees, damaging houses and cars. MinnPost.com, Toronto Globe & Mail
Storms have battered Switzerland in recent days
Hail balls hit orchards in Etoy, 23 July
Update 14:25 Bern and Lucerne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Heavy storms that crossed central Switzerland around 21.45 Monday night caused extensive damage, with firemen called to two houses in Bern that were struck by lightning, which also hit a swimming pool and electric line. Roads were closed and cellars flooded in canton Lucern. A pork house was hit by lightning on a Lucern farm, but the 200 pigs were saved, reports ats/romandie.
Damage from the 23 July hail storm that hit Vaud and central Switzerland is now estimated at CHF180 million, TSR reports.
Storm arrives, Swiss Alps
Lake Geneva region (GenevaLunch) - Lake Geneva residents returning from holidays Friday 17 July are asking, “Has it been like this for the past couple weeks?” No! It’s been hot and sunny and too dry. Friday evening has brought an excess of relief: a blast of very cool area to many parts of Switzerland, with heavy rains and thunderstorms much of the night, following a night and day of stormy weather, with hail and wind in Ticino, Bern and some other areas.
Weather forecast: expect more of the same, with highs of 20C until Monday, with temperatures climbing steadily for the rest of the week.
