Extreme cold and storms have caused widespread disruptions across the Nordic countries and Western Europe, leaving thousands without power and causing significant damage. Temperatures in Finland and Sweden reached as low as -40 degrees Celsius, leading to school closures and travel disruptions. In Arctic Sweden, 4,000 homes were left without power when temperatures dropped to -38 degrees Celsius. Denmark and Norway were also hit by wind and snow, with ferry passengers stranded overnight in the Øresund strait. The cold weather also impacted Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, as well as western Russia.
In Western Europe, heavy rains led to flooding in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, with one death reported in France. Storms in England, including the named storm Henk, caused power cuts, property damage, and disruption across the UK, with over 300 flood warnings in place and more than 10,000 homes without power. Warnings for flood and wind remained in place in France, with more rains and winds forecast, while parts of Germany were grappling with flooding as well.
In the Netherlands, strong winds may have led to the death of a 75-year-old man who fell off his bicycle, while water was flowing into swollen rivers and houseboats were being evacuated. In response to the floods, hundreds of emergency workers from around France and neighboring countries were mobilized to rescue people from inundated homes and clear roads.
The extreme cold, storms, and flooding have resulted in widespread disruptions across the region, causing damages and prompting rescue efforts in multiple countries in both Northern and Western Europe. The severe weather conditions are ongoing, with further rains and winds forecast, as authorities work to address the aftermath of the extreme weather.
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