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France declares storms 'disaster' France declares storms 'disaster'
(about 4 hours later)
France has declared a national disaster after violent storms battered parts of the country leaving death and destruction in their wake.France has declared a national disaster after violent storms battered parts of the country leaving death and destruction in their wake.
Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the move would release funds to help communities rebuild.Prime Minister Francois Fillon said the move would release funds to help communities rebuild.
At least 50 people have been killed in the storms that have swept parts of Spain, Portugal and France.At least 50 people have been killed in the storms that have swept parts of Spain, Portugal and France.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to visit the storm-battered Atlantic coast where 45 deaths occurred.French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to visit the storm-battered Atlantic coast where 45 deaths occurred.
Many victims drowned or were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees.Many victims drowned or were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees.
"It's a national disaster and my first thoughts go to the victims and to their families, to whom I want to express the government's and the nation's condolences," Mr Fillon said."It's a national disaster and my first thoughts go to the victims and to their families, to whom I want to express the government's and the nation's condolences," Mr Fillon said.
"The priority now is to make all the homeless people safe, all the people who are still threatened by the rising waters.""The priority now is to make all the homeless people safe, all the people who are still threatened by the rising waters."
He said flood prevention dykes would be strengthened.He said flood prevention dykes would be strengthened.
The Atlantic storm, named Xynthia, smashed into the western coasts of France, Portugal and Spain with torrential rain driven by winds of up to 140km/h (87mph).The Atlantic storm, named Xynthia, smashed into the western coasts of France, Portugal and Spain with torrential rain driven by winds of up to 140km/h (87mph).
The weather system has swept north-eastwards into Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. There have also been reports of high winds in the Swiss Alps.The weather system has swept north-eastwards into Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. There have also been reports of high winds in the Swiss Alps.
In pictures: Storm batters Europe 'The worst storm I've encountered'In pictures: Storm batters Europe 'The worst storm I've encountered'
In France, Xynthia put five of the country's 95 departments on red alert - only the second such warning since a new emergency system was introduced in 2001.In France, Xynthia put five of the country's 95 departments on red alert - only the second such warning since a new emergency system was introduced in 2001.
More than a million homes in France have lost electricity, from the Brittany peninsula in the west to the highlands of the Massif Central.More than a million homes in France have lost electricity, from the Brittany peninsula in the west to the highlands of the Massif Central.
Worst affected have been the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions on the western coast.Worst affected have been the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions on the western coast.
Huge waves and strong gusts battered many coastal towns, flooding inland areas and destroying buildings.Huge waves and strong gusts battered many coastal towns, flooding inland areas and destroying buildings.
Residents took to their roofs in the Vendee region and police helicopters were in action trying to locate and rescue them.Residents took to their roofs in the Vendee region and police helicopters were in action trying to locate and rescue them.
At least a dozen people are said to be missing in France and 59 others are injured.At least a dozen people are said to be missing in France and 59 others are injured.
French national power company EDF said half a million customers were still without power at nightfall on Sunday, AFP news agency reported.French national power company EDF said half a million customers were still without power at nightfall on Sunday, AFP news agency reported.
Mr Fillon said it would take several days to restore power everywhere.Mr Fillon said it would take several days to restore power everywhere.
Falling treesFalling trees
In Germany, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree fell on their car in the Black Forest region, AFP reported.In Germany, a man was killed and his wife injured when a tree fell on their car in the Black Forest region, AFP reported.
A female jogger in the western town of Bergheim, and a man in Belgium, were also killed by falling trees.A female jogger in the western town of Bergheim, and a man in Belgium, were also killed by falling trees.
Earlier on Sunday two Spanish men died when a tree crushed their car near Burgos. A Spanish woman was killed by a falling wall in Galicia, and a Portuguese boy was killed by a tree in Paredes.Earlier on Sunday two Spanish men died when a tree crushed their car near Burgos. A Spanish woman was killed by a falling wall in Galicia, and a Portuguese boy was killed by a tree in Paredes.
Air France said 100 of its flights had been cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.Air France said 100 of its flights had been cancelled from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris.
Wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower, French radio reported.Wind speeds hit 175km/h at the top of the Eiffel Tower, French radio reported.
Are you in any of the areas affected by the storms? Send us your comments, pictures and video.Are you in any of the areas affected by the storms? Send us your comments, pictures and video.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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