Hurricane-force winds cut power and wreaked havoc in England and Scotland, as Storm Xaver blasted towards mainland Europe.
Strong winds battered Scotland, and killed a truck driver whose vehicle was swept on top of two cars in West Lothian. Four people were injured.
Crews rescued stranded neighbors from their flooded homes in Rhyl, north of Wales.
Margaret Smith took it all in stride:
(SOUNDBITE) (English) RHYL RESIDENT, MARGARET SMITH, SAYING:
"I was a Girl Guide so I was well prepared. The water just came in, full stop. I was here in 1990 when the same thing happened. No problem."
Though some residents remained prepared, British authorities said the Thames Barrier would shut on Thursday night and warned people of - quote -"the most serious coastal tidal surge for over 60 years in England".
In Germany, Northern regions braced themselves, as the storm approached the coastline, threatening winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
