Croatia hit by strong winds, heavy rains

Strong winds and heavy rains hit most of Croatia's coastline on Thursday, wreaking traffic havoc and causing some hazards for the population.

The north-eastern wind, brought by cyclone Rea, was blowing at a record speed of 130 knots or 240 kilometers per hour at the foot of the mountain Velebit, sitting between the continental Croatia and the Adriatic coast and the region of Dalmatia, according to a website Crometeo.

Strong winds tore off the roof of a primary school in Rijeka, a city of northern Adriatic coast. Pupils and teachers were evacuated.

The winds have also toppled electric poles, trees and traffic signs all along the Adriatic coast, leaving some towns without electricity.

Traffics on some parts of the main highway in Croatia, which connect the continental regions to the Adriatic coast, have been paralyzed due to the high winds, and most of ferry lines connecting the mainland with numerous Croatian islands have stopped operating.

Heavy rains, accompanied by high winds, spilt 70 litres per square meter in Dubrovnik in the morning, a city on the southern part of Croatia's Adriatic coast, causing floods on the road.

State Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) has issued the highest red warning for the whole region of the Adriatic Sea. Endti