The UK certainly felt the effects of Storm Eleanor yesterday – a massive weather event that cut power to tens of thousands of homes across the country and led to the deaths of two people on Spain’s Basque coast and a skier in France.

However, it is not the only storm to have left devastation on the continent and some massive insured losses.

Storm Burglind has also hit several European countries hard. Insurance broker Aon Benfield estimated today that the storm has caused around 300 million euros (£267 million) in insured losses in Germany. The first damages occurred in Cologne before spreading to other populous areas of Western Germany. According to Reuters, the broker said that flooded cellars can be expected for days to come as a consequence of heavy rainfall.

The storm also wreaked havoc in Switzerland on Wednesday – derailing one train and causing chaos on the roads, with numerous flights also cancelled. A powerline dropped on the A1 motorway, for example, leading to several flipped vehicles. In the south, meanwhile, an avalanche threat led to 20-40 people leaving the at-risk commune of Conthey.

It is expected that the storm will continue across the country today.


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