Storm impacts Europe: Wettest day in history for Madrid

As part of the same storm system as Babet, impacts have been felt all across Europe.

In Spain, record amounts of rain has fallen. Madrid has potentially seen their wettest day in history, with rainfall totals racking up to over 100 mm on Thursday 19 October.

In addition, very strong winds accompanied the rain across the entirety of the country, but particularly along the Mediterranean coast with over 60 mph winds, locally over 80 mph. Numerous trees collapsed and fell in many cities, causing damage to cars.

In addition to the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea has also seen extreme impacts from the storm, with severe storm surges along the coast bringing metre-high waves on Friday 20 October. It is due to reach its peak on Saturday.

The situation in the town of Schleswig in northern Germany is particularly critical. The fire department is in constant action. Hotels, guesthouses and cars are under water.

People are wearing life jackets. Some residents are using buckets to pour the water out of their houses. Streets in the city centre resemble a raging torrent. Residents report the worst storm surge they have ever experienced. Other areas have also been affected.

The cause of the storm situation is the enormous difference in air pressure between a low pressure system across Benelux and a strong high situated over northern Scandinavia.

Between them, a pronounced easterly wind developed, whipping large amounts of water from the south-western Baltic Sea into open bays and coasts.