Winds gusting up to 40 meters per second (about 86 m.p.h.) ripped roofs from buildings, felled trees and caused power outages in much of Latvia and other parts of Europe on Jan. 9, according to media reports. The hurricane conditions were the worst seen in 40 years.

Flooding in Rīga and in other cities led to street closures and home evacuations, while the government declared a crisis in the power sector. Schools were expected to stay closed Jan. 10 and 11 to keep children safe.

Worst hit was the western coast, especially the port cities of Liepāja and Ventspils. For a while, road access to Ventspils was blocked, while residents struggled with power outages and lack of clean drinking water. Even stationary and mobile telephone service was disrupted in many areas, according to reports received by Latvians Online.

Waves cresting to six meters were reported along the Baltic Sea coast, while high water also was seen in the Daugava River in Rīga.

Although no one was seriously hurt in Latvia, loss of life was reported in Sweden, Denmark and Great Britain. Weather forecasts called for continued high winds through part of the coming week while another cyclone heads across northern Europe.

Power outages and lack of drinking water was still being reported Jan. 10 in some communities, including Sigulda and Talsi.

Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga has scheduled a two-day state visit to the Netherlands, the president’s press office has announced.

The Jan. 18-19 visit, at the invitation of Queen Beatrix, will be the first official visit in the Netherlands from any of the Baltic states, the press office said. The president is expected to meet with the queen and Prime Minister J.P.Balkenende, as well to speak at the University of Leyden and to the Dutch parliament.

Another highlight will be the unveiling of Latvian poet Nora Kalna’s work “Jūra, tu drīksti” on a wall of Huize Rapenburg in Leyden. The city has collected poetry from a number of nations for display on the wall.

Accompanying the president will be her husband, Imants Freibergs, as well as about 60 government officials and business people.

The president is expected to return to Rīga on Jan. 19.

All tourists from Latvia who were visiting countries affected by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunamis in southern Asia have been accounted for, the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced. In the meantime, the government has approved a LVL 100,000 donation to relief efforts, but some have criticized the sum as too little.

Vladimirs Kuļišovs, the Latvian tourist who suffered injuries while vacationing on the island of Phuket, Thailand, returned to Rīga on Jan. 4. A total of 228 tourists from Latvia were in India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Thailand, the Foreign Ministry said in a Jan. 4 press release.

In Latvia, several efforts are underway to raise money for relief efforts. The Latvian Red Cross has advertised for donations, while students from Sri Lanka have solicited for donations in Rīga.

The government also called for a nationwide moment of silence Jan. 5.

About 145,000 people died in the earthquake and tsunamis, but officials fear many more will die from disease in the coming weeks.