5 dead as northern Europe battered by stormy weather

By FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Meteorologists warned Thursday that northern Europe could be battered by a series of storms over the coming days after strong winds swept across the region overnight and killed at least five people. The storm toppled trees, downed power lines and caused widespread travel delays to rail and air traffic. Schools were shut as a precaution on Thursday in parts of Germany, where falling trees killed two motorists. Meteorologists said they measured winds speed of up to 84 miles per hour in low-lying areas of the country. Two people also died in the Polish city of Krakow when a crane collapsed.