Savage storms hit France, other parts of Europe
Pastor Dale Morgan
Savage storms hit France, other parts of Europe*
PARIS, Jan 18 (AFP) Jan 18, 2007
Violent winds gusting up to 140 kilometres (87 miles) per hour and rain
are lashing northern France Thursday, creating perilous conditions for
motorists and pedestrians, the national weather service said.
The entire top third of the country including Paris was under orange
alert because of the storm, which has also sparked warnings in Germany
and parts of central Europe.
Meteorologists at Meteo-France said France was to feel the brunt of the
storms in the afternoon and late into the evening.
They urged drivers to reduce their speed on the roads, and for
pedestrians to beware of objects that might be flung around by the
gusts. A man was killed during the last strong storm, on December 8,
when he was hit by a heavy sign ripped from a Paris shopfront.
France and much of the rest of Europe have been experiencing
unseasonally warm weather in recent weeks, fuelling public speculation
that global warming was the cause.