In France, the 'red alert' has been lifted, and cars are allowed back on the road.

However, hundreds of thousands of French people are still without power because the storm brought down numerous power lines.

At least 15 people were killed by the storm, including four children in the Catalonian town of Sant Boi de Llobregat, who died when violent winds brought down the roof of a sports hall in which they were sheltering.

Thirteen other children and two adults accompanying them were injured.

The storm has seriously disrupted traffic.

Several airports were closed, including those of Toulouse and Bordeaux.

The bridge across the Gironde near Bordeaux was also closed.

 Roads and railway lines have been blocked by fallen trees.

Waves up to 21 metres high were recorded in the Bay of Biscay.

Radio Netherlands/Expatica