Vicious storms head for the Mediterranean
AdvertisementViolent storms are forecast for the Mediterranean next week, raising the possibility of more destruction.
The first storm will move across Iberia on Sunday with a second more powerful storm following in midweek.
Both low pressure systems will bring significant rain, on top of the devastating rainfall already seen in the Mediterranean.
Hundreds have died in storms that hit Madeira, Iberia and France in recent weeks.
The first storm in Madeira killed an estimated 70 people, as flood water tore through the island's lavadas (irrigation channels), overwhelming them within minutes and destroying infrastructure.
Hurricane force winds hit Iberia and France at the end of February, killing 50. A state of emergency was declared in the France as winds of 140kmh (87mph) battered the Atlantic coast.
Landslides in southern Italy forced thousands to flee their homes, and high winds created eight-metre waves, killing two onboard a stricken cruise ship off Spain.
Gibraltar recorded its wettest winter on record. The peninsula would normally expect 400mm of rain over the entire winter; so far this winter it has had close to 1400mm.
With the jet steam remaining over the Mediterranean further storms are expected.
