Monster Storm Hits Europe

 Hurricane force winds of more than 100 mph clobbered parts of Europe including France, Spain and Germany, killing more than fifty people.

The storm, called Xynthia, whipped up powerful winds and torrential rains that blew off roofs, uprooted trees and washed away roads across the region.

It also took down power lines, leaving nearly 900,000 people in France without electricity.

Officials said 45 people were killed in France, three in Spain and one each in Germany, Portugal and Belgium.

Nearly 60 others were injured and more than a dozen are missing.

Many died of drowning in Sunday's disaster, while others were struck by collapsing debris as parts of buildings or trees and branches were ripped off by fierce winds.