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France declares storms 'disaster' France declares storms 'disaster'
(10 minutes 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.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived at the storm-battered Atlantic coast, where at least 47 people died.French President Nicolas Sarkozy has arrived at the storm-battered Atlantic coast, where at least 47 people died.
As the storm swept north-eastwards across Western Europe, others died in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Germany.As the storm swept north-eastwards across Western Europe, others died in Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Germany.
Many of those on the French coast drowned, while those elsewhere were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees.Many of those on the French coast drowned, while those elsewhere were hit by parts of buildings or falling trees.
Power outPower out
"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."
Mr Sarkozy arrived in La Rochelle before flying over L'Aiguillon Sur MerMr Sarkozy arrived in La Rochelle before flying over L'Aiguillon Sur Mer
He said flood prevention dykes would be strengthened.He said flood prevention dykes would be strengthened.
Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said nearly 10,000 emergency staff were working on the west coast on Monday morning, to search for and help survivors.Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux said nearly 10,000 emergency staff were working on the west coast on Monday morning, to search for and help survivors.
He told France-Info radio that the death toll would "doubtless" rise as rescue workers made house-to-house visits.He told France-Info radio that the death toll would "doubtless" rise as rescue workers made house-to-house visits.
As many as 30 people are thought to be missing.As many as 30 people are thought to be missing.
The Atlantic storm, named Xynthia, smashed into the western coasts of France, Portugal and Spain on Sunday, 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 on Sunday, 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 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.
href="/1/hi/in_pictures/8541808.stm">In pictures: Storm batters Europe href="/1/hi/world/europe/8542282.stm">'The worst storm I've encountered' href="/1/hi/world/europe/8543377.stm">Eyewitness: France storms href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8541808.stm">In pictures: Storm batters Europe href="/2/hi/europe/8542282.stm">'The worst storm I've encountered' href="/2/hi/europe/8543377.stm">Eyewitness: France storms
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.
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.


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