Tropical Storm Emma's hurricane force winds hammer Europe

by Stormchaser John

A tropical storm named "Emma" with wind speeds equivalent to a category 3 hurricane has been thrashing Germany, Prague, Vienna and other parts of central Europe, stunning residents across the continent:

Europe began feeling the effects of Emma late Friday night, according to Deutchscher Wetter Dienst (DWD), Germany's national weather service.

Wind gusts of up to 190 km/h (118 mph) -- the strength of a Category 3 hurricane -- were clocked in the higher elevations of Austria, Corriveau said. Sustained winds as of Saturday night ranged from 50 km/h to nearly 80 km/h (31 mph to 50 mph). Winds were clocked at 98 km/hr (61 mph) in Denmark.

Eight deaths have been reported, with many more injured, including a passenger bus blown off the road in Bavaria and a child killed by a falling tree north of Prague. Air traffic has been disrupted from Amsterdam to the East, as the powerful storm cuts through Central Europe...

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