A storm hit the UK and Ireland on Friday with record winds of up to 196 km/h, cutting power to tens of thousands of people, forcing planes to abort landings and destroying the roof of the O2 arena in London.
Storm Eunice, which formed in the central Atlantic and advanced from the Azores towards Europe, poses a danger to life, the UK Meteorological Office (Met Office) said.
The storm made landfall in western England, Cornwall, where large waves washed ashore, sending water jets over the roofs of houses.
In Wales, waves crashed on the Aberystwyth promenade, some as tall as the houses. More than 100,000 people were hit by power outages as lines were torn down and old trees toppled.
Strong winds in London destroyed the white roof of the O2 arena, which has hosted music stars such as the Rolling Stones, Beyoncé and Rihanna. Tall buildings in London shook as the wind swept past Canary Wharf.
“Storm Eunice is really rocking,” said Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders. “We only issue a red alert when we think there is a threat to life because of the weather.”
The planes were hit so hard by bursts at some airports that pilots were forced to abandon landings. A live stream from the runway at Heathrow Airport was being watched by over 200,000 people online.
Airlines canceled dozens of flights, while some flights sought safer landings at other airports.
Source: CNN Brasil
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