Severe damage in Rheines twin city
Leiria/Rheine. Hurricane Kristin has caused severe damage in Rheines twin city Leiria. Two people died on Wednesday when the storm blew across central Portugal with winds of over 140 kilometers per hour. Hundreds of thousands of households had no electricity and often no water either. The population was urged to stay at home. “The storm has left a deep trail of destruction in its wake. We have issued a disaster alert,” said Leirias mayor Goncalo Lopes.
“We are doing everything we can. But the extent of the damage and the impact on people’s lives is beyond our capabilities,” Goncales continued. He appealed to the government in Lisbon to help on the ground: “Leiria will get up, but it needs help today,” Goncales said verbatim.
Devastation could be seen throughout the city. Many trees were toppled, as were construction cranes. The storm caused roofs to collapse, including a fire station at Leiria. “Kristin” caused particularly severe damage to the stadium at Leiria, where parts of the façade were torn off and the roof structure suffered serious damage. www.friendsineurope.com