Several European countries hit by severe storms causing flooding
Rain, storms, floods and strong winds are giving Europeans a headache. After three days of heavy rain, landslides have also occurred in Styria, Austria. Several houses have been destroyed or washed away and residents have been evacuated. A house above the landslide area is also set to collapse as the slope continues to move.
"Then all I heard was a loud noise and saw a cloud of dust. We couldn't see anything out the window, and now we're terrified of everything that's happened. And we're afraid of what's going to happen next.";
"After two days of flooding, now this is happening. It's a disaster."
Serious situation also in Slovenia. The risk of avalanches persists here too. After a dam was breached, several residents were evacuated to shelters, others took refuge with relatives and friends. Slovenia's prime minister says this is the worst natural disaster in Slovenia's history, saying it will take many years to repair everything.
"Slovenia is currently facing the worst natural disaster in our recent history. The damage is unimaginable because practically two thirds of Slovenia is affected in one way or another. A huge effort is needed to get life back to normal again," said Robert Golob.
Floods also hit Hungary, where heavy storms hit. Violent gusts of wind caused trees to fall on streets, yards, vehicles and electrical wires.
"My family and I have never seen such a strong storm. You see this huge tree, it was in my neighbour's garden and now it's in ours.";
"I woke up at five o'clock in the morning, it was a huge storm: there was a strong wind blowing, it rained heavily and with ice, but the wind caused the most damage. It tore the roofs off many houses. Even the walls came down."
"Firefighters were mainly alerted because of fallen trees and electrical wires, as well as to pump out water."
Also hit by the weather is Japan, where Tropical Storm Hanun has slammed into the Okinawa and Amami regions. More than 30,000 households have been left without power due to wires ripped out by gusts of wind.
China is also battling record flooding, and it's monsoon season. Heavy rainfall in Heilongjiang province has swollen rivers, which have overflowed and breached some embankments. More than 5,000 people in 60 flood-affected villages have been evacuated to safe areas.
