Storm Amelie hits France, Spain and Italy, leaving over 140 000 homes without electricity

Violent winds brought by Storm Amelie hit France's Atlantic coast over the weekend, producing large waves, causing traffic chaos, uprooting trees, and leaving some 140 000 households without electricity.

Winds in excess of 160 km/h (100 mph) hit parts of the region, forcing emergency services to respond to hundreds of calls. Gironde and Landes recorded 163 km/h (101 mph) winds and Bordeaux 121 km/h (75 mph).

Dozens of people were evacuated, 47 in Landes department, nine were injured. Although reports over the weekend mentioned no casualties, sad news came from Nica this morning, where one elderly woman died in a landslide.

Southern France was also affected, although mostly by rain. More than 2 dozen motorists had to be rescued as their cars got stuck in the deluge.

Amelie also affected northern parts of Spain and Italy on November 3. A number of families were forced to evacuate from the village of Sesta Godano

Featured image credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP / VIIRS. Acquired: November 3, 2019