Storm Rocks Western Europe

As if Chile and Haiti weren't enough, a winter storm named Xynthia is wreaking havoc on the western coast of Europe. High winds as strong as 124 mph have brought down trees and power lines and the storm has left as many as 51 people dead, 45 of which were in France. Around one million homes are still without power and, in some areas there has been severe flooding. French Prime Minster Francois Fillon said, "It's a national catastrophe. Many people drowned, surprised by the rapid rise of the water." Other deaths have been reported in Germany, Spain, Portugal, and England.