Storm Ciarán dumps record amounts of rain, bringing the European death toll to 14 people

Overnight, Storm Ciarán brought record-breaking rain to Tuscany, trapping residents in their homes, flooding hospitals, and overturning cars. Friday saw six deaths in Italy and one in Albania, bringing the storm's death toll to 14 across Europe this week.

Huge waves pounded the Balkans' Adriatic coasts, and strong winds uprooted trees and ripped off roofs. Ferries between Croatia's islands and coast stopped.

Tuscany Gov. Eugenio Giani said six people died in the storm, which dumped historical rainfall.

Climate scientists say human-induced climate change has increased rainfall during storms like Ciarán, causing more damage.

Matteo Salvini, Transport and Infrastructure Minister, said 48,000 utility customers were without power. High-speed trains between Florence and Milan and smaller Tuscany rail lines were affected.

On Thursday, Ciarán killed at least seven people in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. The storm destroyed homes, disrupted travel, and cut power to many.

Four hospitals, including Pisa and Mugello, were flooded by the storm. School closures and train and highway disruptions plagued Tuscany. A train line was suspended Thursday night, leaving hundreds of people stranded, including 150 in Prato. About 40,000 people were without power Friday.

Friday saw the storm recede in northern France and the Atlantic coast, but heavy rains continued in some areas as emergency workers cleared debris. On Friday, Corsica in the Mediterranean experienced winds up to 140 kph (87 mph) and the southwest Pyrenees were under flood warnings.

Over 500,000 French households, mostly in Brittany, lost power for a second day. Many roads and trains were shut down.

President Emmanuel Macron visited storm-ravaged Brittany on Friday, and Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne visited Normandy.