At least two individuals have lost their lives due to a formidable weather system wreaking havoc across parts of Europe. Many Brits, hoping to escape the rain back home, are now facing this natural onslaught.

Storm Kristin struck central and northern Portugal earlier this morning, subsequently moving into Spain. The severity of the storm prompted Spanish authorities to issue a maximum “red alert” for high winds.

Videos from the impacted areas reveal uprooted trees, damaged storefronts and homes, and streets inundated with water.

One person died when a tree collapsed on their car in Vila Franca de Xira, on the outskirts of Lisbon, according to emergency services.

Footage from affected regions shows rows of trees uprooted, fronts of shops and homes damaged, and roads flooded.

The gales were so strong that a Ferris wheel on the Figueira da Foz beach in the central Portugal Silver Coast region overturned.

LIKE A LEAF

Drivers panic as cars start to violently SHAKE – & it’s all down stormy weather

EVEN FLOW

‘Drip’ tactic stops pipes from freezing – but should you go hot or cold?

Part of the roof of a former university also collapsed, smashing into seven cars.

Around 85,000 people have been left without electricity after efforts by authorities to restore the supply failed.

Major rail links have been suspended, leaving inland communities isolated, and a number of schools have had to suspend lessons.

Kristin have powered into neighbouring Spain, which is is still reeling from the havoc caused by Storm Joseph.

Multiple villages surrounding the city of Malaga have been effectively cut off by fallen debris.

A video showed several abandoned cars in the Andalucian village of Monte Lope-Álvarez as a deluge overwhelms the road.

More than 5,000 homes have also been evacuated in the southern region of Jaén due to the rising levels of the river.

This comes as an uprooted palm tree fell killed a woman on Tuesday in the coastal town of Torremolinos.

More than 160 roads across the country were affected by snow, including 27 motorways on the main highway network, while others have been disrupted by fallen trees and rocks.

Inches of snow also blanketed rooftops in parts of central Madrid but no major disruption was caused.

Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, has reported that, despite the snowfall, which has particularly affected the north of the city, no significant incidents have been recorded.

Spain’s national weather agency AEMET warned that large areas would face very strong winds, with some gusts reaching hurricane force.

Authorities in parts of southern Almeria province issued the red alert due to the intensity of the winds, as well as multiple amber weather warnings.

Meteorologist Mario Picazo urged for “extreme caution” earlier in the week and shared an update about Kristin today: “Rain and snow will be the main protagonists today in almost all regions, with significant accumulations especially in southern and western areas.

“Adding to what we have already accumulated today, more is expected to be added throughout the rest of the week.”

The storm is forecast to continue until at least Friday, but early models are suggesting that February could see rainfall well above average.