Thousands impacted across the continent

After impacting the UK and Ireland yesterday, Storm Dudley reached continental Europe leading to widespread flooding and damage.

Known as Storm Ylenia, the system hit Germany last night with wind gusts reaching 74 mph. At high altitudes, over the Harz mountains speeds of 94 mph were recorded.

Damage caused by falling trees and flying debris spread across northern Germany resulting in the closure of schools in several northeastern regions.

Around 80,000 were left without power due to outages and flooding was reported earlier today in St. Pauli in addition to a storm surge in Husum close to the Danish border.

Ferries had been halted and with access to the River Elbe closed a cruise ship was forced to spend a night at sea after being denied entry to a port in Hamburg where it should have docked.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands Dudley delivered 62 mph winds and weather warnings knocking down trees and damaging buildings.

In the town of Duiven a police officer required medical assistance after being struck by part of an office building roof while a tree in Maassluis trapped two people in their car after falling on it.

Over 100 incidents required attendance by emergency services in France.

Much like we await Eunice after Dudley, Europe now awaits Storm Zeynep which is set to arrive on Friday. While gale force winds are likely, with highs of 60 mph along the northern coasts of the Netherlands and Germany, the impact is unlikely to be as severe as expected here in the UK.