The severe weather across Malta coerced the Nationalist Party into postponing its annual conference. PN leader Adrian Delia had been scheduled to deliver a closing speech at 9:30am. Muscat's political activity in Pieta' at the Labour Centre was also cancelled. The two party leaders will participate in radio interviews instead. Force 8 and 9 winds, a strong gale of up to 70 knots, caused significant damage to many areas around the island. Winds have reached a substantial high, starting at around 53 knots. From cars to rubble walls to trees snapping and blocking roads, the reports were extensive and various. Police have said that there were power cuts reported in certain areas as well. Force 9 winds from a northeasterly direction were constant throughout the night with damaging gusts up to 100km/h. Average wave heights rose to six metres, peaking at 13 metres. The meterological office reported that Malta suffered the worst already with the strongest expected winds taking place between 4am and 10am on Sunday. It said that this was one of the worst storms Malta had ever seen. Earlier in the day yesterday, many took to Facebook to post their pictures of 'snowmen' and hail-encrusted roads as temperatures fell to two degrees Celsius and felt like sub-zero. Sadly, with Carnival just around the corner, organisers and artists reported that some Carnival floats were damaged during the storm as their protective tents were pulled by the winds. Street furniture like lamposts, lights and bus stages were also damaged. Electrical poles in some areas were destroyed, causing power cuts. Since its inception 40 years ago, the Malta marathon has been cancelled. In the interest of those participating, the organising committee said on Facebook that the 2019 Gig Malta Marathon was cancelled due to the deteriorating weather. Despite the fact that as yet there were no reports of injured individuals, the Freeport did not resume its operations due to the storm and have stopped operating at 8pm on Saturday. The gale force winds did not affect operations at the Malta International Airport apart from one flight scheduled for Catania. Ghaqda Bdiewa Attivi took to Facebook to report the damages that farmers had to contend with this morning. "As expected, the weather wreaked havoc on our farmers' fields with some farmers already estimating damages of more than Eur 50,000 and fearing the worst as the wind blows stronger," the group said on Facebook, adding that it was heartwrenching to wake up finding your enterprise in tatters.<doc-sep>Updated Monday 3pm Gale-force winds lashed Malta early on Sunday morning, uprooting trees, demolishing walls and damaging power lines, but no injuries were reported, a police spokesman told Times of Malta. An uprooted tree along the Sliema front. Photo: Harry Briffa/Facebook The winds, which reached gusts of up to 101 km/hour, caused damage to electricity networks and forced road closures across the whole island. Civil Protection Department officials were called out to 300 separate sites to clear roads, remove dangerous walls and evacuate people from flooded residences. On Monday, the government said that it would be looking at ways of tapping EU funds to help rebuild following storm damage. Farmers were among the worst hit. People advised to stay indoors Authorities advised people to stay indoors unless they needed to travel. According to Wind Finder, in the early hours of the morning, Malta experienced gusts of winds that are described as a “high threat to life and property”. The Maltese Islands Weather site said on Sunday morning that the northeast wind was at its strongest in many years. The 101 km/h (Force 10, almost Force 11) gusts measured by the site's weather station in Għarb were an all-time record. One of the worst storms Malta has seen in recent years gradually died down as night fell, with the strong gale force gregale wind moderating overnight. According to Wind Finder, Malta experienced gusts of winds that are described as a 'high threat to life and property'. CPD overwhelmed The CPD said it had worked with the police to evacuate homes in Sliema and Vittoriosa which had flooded. People evacuated will be offered alternative housing by the government until their homes are fixed, the Home Affairs Ministry said. Trees were uprooted in several areas, including on the Rabat road where a large tree completely blocked access. Another tree blocked a road near the airport exit. They were later removed. Cleansing Department director Ramon Deguara said most of the fallen trees had been cleared in the morning, but that people could expect further collapses. Read: The storm by the numbers "A number of large trees were partially uprooted and we’re expecting them to fall soon," he said, pointing out that the incessant wind and rain was not helping. The Sliema and St Julian's promenade was a "total disaster", he said. "We still have to quantify the damage. The whole operation is going to take days," Mr Deguara added. Among other incidents, a balcony at Portomaso crashed to the ground while a number of old trees at Balluta square were destroyed. Read: How the storm turned Malta's roads into an obstacle course In a bizarre sight, some citizens braved the weather to pick up hundreds of fish which were flung out of the sea onto promenades. The following morning, the sea bream was being sold on the Xemxija promenade, fetching €10 for five fish. Transport Malta said the storm had knocked out several sets of traffic lights. As of 2pm, traffic lights at the Żabbar junction remained out of order. Video: Mark Zammit Cordina The winds blew strong enough to bend this traffic sign in Dingli. Political parties change plans The storms forced the Nationalist and Labour parties to change their Sunday morning plans. The closing session of the PN's general council was postponed to Wednesday evening. A Labour Party activity was cancelled. Destruction along the Sliema promenade. A collapsed tree blocks a traffic lane in Pieta'. Power cuts Enemalta said that the storm had damaged parts of its distribution network and warned that recovering electricity to affected areas could take longer than usual as weather conditions remained severe. On Sunday evening, the company said it had fielded more than 1,500 calls from the public and identified 540 faults. Technicians would be working throughout the night to restore electricity to all affected areas, it said. Watch: Before and after - how the storm wreaked havoc The company noted that the cold weather and requests for people to remain indoors had also led to a spike in demand for electricity, which was 20 per cent higher than that on the average Sunday. Flights and buses delayed Several flights scheduled to take off on Sunday morning were delayed, a Malta International Airport representative confirmed. Turkish Airlines flight Istanbul to Malta and Emirates Malta to Larnaca have been cancelled, five flights have been delayed for one hour, and one flight delayed two hours. Malta Public Transport warned customers to expect delays to all routes. "Many roads are closed. This is affecting all bus routes, with buses being diverted by the authorities," MPT explained. At 5pm, the company announced on social media that it was suspending all routes servicing St Julian's and Sliema, on the CPD's advice. A damaged windscreen. Photo: Frances Chircop Cars damaged by a falling wall in Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq. Rough seas and a windswept Balluta. Photo: Luca Catania Wild seas made for an almost unrecognisable promenade at Spinola. Photo: Dominic Fenech Gozo ferry operating, Sicily catamaran cancelled Gozo Channel chairman Joe Cordina confirmed the ferry between Malta and Gozo was operating normally, although vessels were berthed on the far side of Ċirkewwa. All Virtu Ferries catamaran trips to and from Sicily scheduled for Sunday and Monday were cancelled due to the weather, with additional trips scheduled for Tuesday to compensate. Cemeteries closed until Monday The Environmental Health Directorate within the Superintendence of Public Health said all government cemeteries were being closed until Monday nmorning as a precaution. A destroyed tree by Saqqajja Hill in Rabat. Photo: Angela Galea Salamone Boats, balconies wrecked A power boat came undone at Manoel Island and sank a yacht, sources told Times of Malta. Two other boats in the area came undone and crashed onto rocks in the area. A sailor said two pontoons had come loose at the Grand Harbour and were currently without power. Scuba divers were working to reconnect them, and boat owners were not being allowed onto the affected pontoons. "Water levels are rising and falling by shocking amounts," a sailor aboard a docked vessel told Times of Malta. "It's freezing here, without power, but I'm glad I'm on board". Videos of two separate cranes - one in Sliema, the other in Swieqi - with their steel hoppers swinging dangerously in the high winds prompted concern on social media. Pedestrians have been urged to heed the dangers of this crane in Sir Arturo Mercieca Street, Sliema. Video: Peter Falzon A steel hopper swings on this crane overlooking Pender Gardens. Farmers suffer damage The Għaqda Bdiewa Attivi said on its Facebook page that the weather wreaked havoc in farmers' fields with some estimating damages of more than €50,000 and fearing the worst as the wind blew stronger. "It's heart-wrenching to wake up for another day of work to find your enterprise in tatters. "We commend the bravery of our farmers to continue to fight and express solidarity especially with those whose livelihoods have been seriously threatened by these weather events." A video posted on Facebook showed the main road in Xemxija full of small fish that had been dragged to land by the rough seas. Historic fort damaged A hall at Fort St Angelo and a boundary wall at the Tas-Silġ prehistoric site in Marsaxlokk were damaged, as was part of the Visitors' Centre at Ħaġar Qim, Heritage Malta said on Monday. Sewage plant, water connections damaged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Malta's northwest sewage treatment plant, in Mellieħa, was shut down after developing a fault and then evacuated, following concerns about an unstable three-storey wall. Dr Muscat made reference to an evacuation of people in a Sliema building, but Times of Malta is informed that the operation was called off. A damaged windscreen. Photo: Frances Chircop On Monday, Water Services Corporation said that an undersea water connection between Malta and Gozo was damaged in the storm. Dr Muscat said that a huge clean-up operation would be launched in the coming days to clear the debris all over the island. He thanked all those involved in the ongoing operation. Dr Muscat spoke also on Gozo, saying such circumstances showed the necessity of having a permanent link. 'Millions' in damages - Delia Opposition leader Adrian Delia said he had been contacted by farmers who claimed to have suffered “millions” in damages from the storm. Farmers from the Mġarr community, he said, who were in tears after having their livelihoods destroyed. Continuing on the weather story, Dr Delia said many people did not even have a roof over their heads to shelter from the storm. A pole smashed right through this car. Mifsud Bonnici funeral put off The funeral of former chief justice Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici was also put off to Tuesday, relatives confirmed to Times of Malta. Judge Mifsud Bonnici passed away on Friday. Damaged stadium, restaurant Hibs Stadium incurred significant damage, with trees toppling hoarding and stone boundary walls falling over. A clip uploaded on social media shows the moment waves destroyed the Buddhamann Restaurant in St Julian's. Hibs Stadium was left the worse for wear. Walls toppled over at Hibs Stadium. Ballutta Bay lashed by winds and high waves. Stormy Saturday The bad weather started on Saturday afternoon with isolated showers developing into hail storms and the odd thundery spell. Football matches on Saturday evening were cancelled as was the Malta marathon which was due to be held on Sunday morning. The Nadur carnival planned for Sunday has been postponed to Thursday. Large marquees used to house carnival floats to be used in carnival celebrations blew over. Tents set up on the University of Malta's Tal-Qroqq campus for an upcoming careers fair were also badly damaged, The Yuppie reported on Sunday evening. Carnival floats built for next week's celebrations took a battering. A toppled container. Photo: Daniele Braggioli/Facebook Damage in Qawra. Steel mesh came crashing down onto cars parked in a Sliema road. Photo: Hilary Galea Lauri A reader sent in a picture of his neighbour's membrane which came apart and landed in his garden. The gregale hitting Valletta and Sliema. Photo: James Vella Clark Għargħur A police spokesman said reports of damage came from across the islands. A large tree near the Addolorata Cemetery completely blocked the road as did another near Hompesh Road in Żabbar. A flight from Istanbul to Malta was cancelled because of the weather and some flights were also delayed landing. Trees were also uprooted in the vicinity of the runway. Photo: @Keti.kate/Instagram On Friday evening, the Met. Office issued a gregale advisory notice to mariners, warning them of very rough seas tonight and on Sunday as a low pressure zone over the Ionian sea extends over the Maltese islands. The strong winds were accompanied by a drop in temperature, with the thermometer showing a temperature of 2 degrees Celsius in some areas, colder than most European countries at the moment. Do you have pictures or videos to share? Send them to us on or on our Facebook page Footage shot at Baħar ic-Cagħaq on Saturday night. Video: Clive Camilleri Footage shot at Baħar ic-Cagħaq on Saturday night. Video: Clive Camilleri Damaged street furniture in Għargħur. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli Damage in Rabat. Picture: Shaun Grech A tree blocking the road next to the bus stop in Triq Ta' l-Ibrag corner. Photo: Malcolm Naudi Video: Jonathan Mohnani Video: Pere Lopes Ċirkewwa. Photo: Owen Sant’Angelo Three trees Dingli Street, Sliema. Photo: Rowena Pullicino - Facebook Sliema Aquatic Sports Club. Photo: Daniela Said, Facebook San Giljan Kiosk. Photo: Mr Borda, Facebook Bonnett blown away, Windsor Terrace, Sliema. Photo: Karen Heneghan - Facebook The Point. Photo: Sylvana Psaila - Facebook Balluta. Photo: Luisa Busuetta - Facebook A water tank blew off a roof in St Agatha Str, Sliema. Photo: M Spiteri Tanks damaged by a falling wall in Tower Road, Sliema. Photo: Thomas Agius Vadala Video: Attila Buris Photo: Attila Buris Video: Bertine Madelen Sjoeholm<doc-sep>
At least three people have died as Storm Erik, with gale-force winds of up to 75mph, swept across the UK over the past 36 hours. A kitesurfer was killed after an incident on a beach in north Devon, where winds of up to 56mph were recorded according to the Met Office, although a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall police would not confirm whether the death was weather-related. Police said the man, who has not yet been identified, had been airlifted to North Devon district hospital, but was confirmed dead later after sustaining fatal injuries on the beach at Saunton Sands, near Barnstaple, on Saturday morning. A windsurfer makes the most of the rough seas off of Bracklesham Bay in West Sussex, as Storm Erik brought strong winds. Photograph: Andrew Matthews/PA A spokesman for the local police said: “This incident is not being treated as suspicious at this stage. The incident will remain in the hands of the coroner and a file of evidence will be submitted to the coroner. It is then a matter for an inquest.” On Friday morning in Devon, a 50-year-old man was pronounced dead after a tree fell across the A384 in Buckfastleigh, trapping his vehicle beneath it. A second vehicle drove into the tree after it had fallen, with the sole occupant, the driver, treated at hospital for minor injuries. Police were unable to confirm if the tree fell as a direct result of the high winds, and an investigation is ongoing. Emergency staff work on a bus which had a tree fall through its roof in Poole. Photograph: Dorset Police/PA Also on Friday morning, a van driver was killed after he collided with a fallen tree on the B4306 between Pontyberem and Llannon in west Wales. “A large tree had fallen across the road and collided with the van,” Dyfed-Powys police told WalesOnline. “Tragically, the male driver was pronounced dead at the scene and his family is being supported by police.” The Met Office had issued a number of warnings for floods and strong winds on Saturday, and emergency services urged motorists to take care amid disruption on several roads. The Met Office said wind speeds of 75mph were recorded in Powys, Wales, and 74mph in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, with gusts between 40 and 50mph typical across the rest of the country. 00:18 Plane struggles to land at Heathrow as Storm Erik hits UK and Ireland – video A yellow weather warning for strong wind covered much of Wales, central and northern England, and southern Scotland, with a separate yellow warning for northern Scotland that said flooding could follow heavy rains. London North Eastern Railway restricted speeds on trains between Leeds and York, and Newcastle and Carlisle, to 80mph because of the wind, causing a number of trains to run late, and the cancellation of one service. Speed limits were also imposed on East Coast Main Line trains. High winds damaged a terraced house in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/Getty Images The wind damaged a CCTV mast near Dover, leaving it swaying above the A20, which remained closed while repairs were made, Highways England said. Elsewhere, traffic on the Dartford Crossing over the River Thames was restricted to two lanes and speeds of 30mph. One lane was closed on the Severn Bridge between south Wales and south-west England due to the strong winds, and the A548 was closed in both directions around Mostyn, north Wales, because a tree fell across the carriageway. People shelter from the strong winds and rain near St Paul’s cathedral in London. Photograph: Victoria Jones/PA In Yorkshire, the Ouse Bridge on the M62 and the Humber Bridge on the A15 were closed in both directions to high-sided and vulnerable vehicles. Linton-on-Ouse, in north Yorkshire, was forecast to experience temperatures of up to 12.5C, the highest in the UK, with the lowest expected at Fyvie Castle, in Aberdeenshire, where the mercury could drop to -2.8C. The Cumbrian village of Shap was expected to record the highest rainfall, of more than 5cm. Although the wet and windy weather was expected to ease, further difficult conditions were forecast. There would be showers in western and northern areas, with frost and fog forming as winds slowed down, and southern England could expect some rain, with patches of snow falling over hills. On Sunday, that rain and snow was expected to clear east, with blustery showers following. Conditions in the north would be brighter, with some rain and gales possible later.