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Egypt flash floods: Your stories Egypt flash floods: Your stories
(1 day later)
Denis Zorzin took this picture of lightning over Sharm el Sheik on 17 January Denis Zorzin took this picture of lightning over Sharm el-Sheikh on 17 January
BBC readers describe their lucky escapes from collapsing buildings and treacherous roads caused by flash flooding in Egypt's tourist resorts. The storms caused chaos in Egypt, Israel and also Gaza, killing seven people in the region.BBC readers describe their lucky escapes from collapsing buildings and treacherous roads caused by flash flooding in Egypt's tourist resorts. The storms caused chaos in Egypt, Israel and also Gaza, killing seven people in the region.
When we arrived at Sharm el-Sheikh airport on Sunday evening a full scale thunderstorm was underway. Rain was cascading through the ceiling into Terminal 1 and at one point part of the suspended ceiling collapsed. As we made our way to the exit, a huge ceiling section fell to the ground just to the right of us with an enormous crash. People were screaming and running to the single door exit, ignoring people with children and the elderly as panic set in. The Egyptian officials had made sure they had exited the building first and we had to queue to get out into the lashing rain outside. Gavin Lilley, Edinburgh UK When we arrived at Sharm el-Sheikh airport on Sunday evening a full scale thunderstorm was underway. Rain was cascading through the ceiling into Terminal 1 and at one point part of the suspended ceiling collapsed. As we made our way to the exit, a huge ceiling section fell to the ground just to the right of us with an enormous crash. People were screaming and running to the single door exit, ignoring people with children and the elderly as panic set in. The Egyptian officials had made sure they had exited the building first and we had to queue to get out into the lashing rain outside. Gavin Lilley, Edinburgh, UK
We were stuck at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and saw the roof collapse in several places. In the first terminal there were two power blackouts. We were evacuated to another terminal where a large section of the roof crashed down around 30 metres from where we were standing. It took a further two minutes before staff told us to evacuate. My partner later said she had seen airport staff running out of the building long before we were told to evacuate. A very poor end to an otherwise terrific holiday.Richard Withey, Cardiff, WalesWe were stuck at Sharm el-Sheikh airport and saw the roof collapse in several places. In the first terminal there were two power blackouts. We were evacuated to another terminal where a large section of the roof crashed down around 30 metres from where we were standing. It took a further two minutes before staff told us to evacuate. My partner later said she had seen airport staff running out of the building long before we were told to evacuate. A very poor end to an otherwise terrific holiday.Richard Withey, Cardiff, Wales
Mike Owens took this footage of flash floods at Taba, EgyptMike Owens took this footage of flash floods at Taba, Egypt
I was staying at the Movenpick Hotel in Taba, Egypt and experienced the flash floods on 18 January. I was staying at the Movenpick Hotel in Taba, Egypt and experienced the flash floods on 18 January. After basking in lovely warm weather it was amazing to wake early Monday morning to the sound of heavy rain. The hotel had a very large storm drainage system down which the torrent of water flowed. The damage was extensive with parts of the beach washed away and sunbeds washed out to sea. Mike Owens, Thatcham, Berkshire, UK
After basking in lovely warm weather it was amazing to wake early Monday morning to the sound of heavy rain. The hotel had a very large storm drainage system down which the torrent of water flowed. The damage was extensive with parts of the beach washed away and sunbeds washed out to sea. Mike Owens, Thatcham, Berkshire
We were all trapped for two days without electricity or water. I have never seen a storm as terrifying as this. The lightning started at 8pm on Sunday and lasted 12 hours. I hadn't slept all night because the water kept flooding into the house. We were desperately mopping and using any materials that would soak up water. I work as a school teacher and we have had to postpone the exams. Shirley Barber, Sharm el-Sheikh, EgyptWe were all trapped for two days without electricity or water. I have never seen a storm as terrifying as this. The lightning started at 8pm on Sunday and lasted 12 hours. I hadn't slept all night because the water kept flooding into the house. We were desperately mopping and using any materials that would soak up water. I work as a school teacher and we have had to postpone the exams. Shirley Barber, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Just back from Sharm el-Sheikh. Sunday night was pretty major for the resort, our hotel had dozens of badly damaged rooms and a whole air conditioning unit came down through the roof. Corridors to rooms had minor rivers with the smell continuing to rise throughout the day. The road to the airport was flooded in many parts, so the coach driver took us up the other side of a dual carriageway in the fast lane with oncoming traffic (lots of it) diving for the inside lane. Had to be seen to be believed.David Willis, Lowestoft Just back from Sharm el-Sheikh. Sunday night was pretty major for the resort, our hotel had dozens of badly damaged rooms and a whole air conditioning unit came down through the roof. Corridors to rooms had minor rivers with the smell continuing to rise throughout the day. The road to the airport was flooded in many parts, so the coach driver took us up the other side of a dual carriageway in the fast lane with oncoming traffic (lots of it) diving for the inside lane. Had to be seen to be believed.David Willis, Lowestoft, UK
Clearing up after the floods in Sharm el Sheikh. Photo: Carlo Albertomari Clearing up after the floods in Sharm el-Sheikh. Photo: Carlo Albertomari
At first people were excited by the rain which is rare enough in this part of the world, but feelings turned to concern as thunder and lightning shook homes and hotels. Water streamed under doorways and through air conditioning units.At first people were excited by the rain which is rare enough in this part of the world, but feelings turned to concern as thunder and lightning shook homes and hotels. Water streamed under doorways and through air conditioning units.
Peace Road, which is the main arterial road through Sharm became so waterlogged that cars were over their wheels in water and shops and banks were closed as the water rushed in, ruining goods and belongings. The tourist industry will not welcome this as visitor numbers are already 40% down because of the recession. Daphne Constantine, Sharm el-Sheikh, EgyptPeace Road, which is the main arterial road through Sharm became so waterlogged that cars were over their wheels in water and shops and banks were closed as the water rushed in, ruining goods and belongings. The tourist industry will not welcome this as visitor numbers are already 40% down because of the recession. Daphne Constantine, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
I have just come back from the Sinai. We drove from Nuweiba to Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday morning. The road had been washed away in a dozen places by flash floods coming down from the desert hills and mountains. We saw one vehicle that had been washed off the road. It was almost impassable in places. The airport was in chaos when we arrived, but by evening, it had returned to normal and by around 10pm the mobile network was restored.Jo Rogers, St Petersburg, Russia I have just come back from Sinai. We drove from Nuweiba to Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday morning. The road had been washed away in a dozen places by flash floods coming down from the desert hills and mountains. We saw one vehicle that had been washed off the road. It was almost impassable in places. The airport was in chaos when we arrived, but by evening, it had returned to normal and by around 10pm the mobile network was restored.Jo Rogers, St Petersburg, Russia
I was staying at the St George Three Corners hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, when the storm hit on Sunday. Ceilings collapsed in reception, rooms were flooded and every employee was called in to help. The Egyptian men who work there were fantastic, they worked day and night to get the hotel back on its feet.Tracey Friar, Middlesbrough, UK I was staying at the St George Three Corners hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, when the storm hit on Sunday. Ceilings collapsed in reception, rooms were flooded and every employee was called-in to help. The Egyptian men who work there were fantastic, they worked day and night to get the hotel back on its feet.Tracey Friar, Middlesbrough, UK