Versailles was one of several cultural monuments damaged in France. In France, the country that bore the brunt of the storms, the death toll climbed to at least 68. Some 60,000 trees were uprooted or damaged from the ground in two forests on the outskirts of Paris, and another 2,000 along the city's streets. Authorities warned people not to visit forests as many trees are still at risk of falling over. Many people were killed by falling chimneys and other debris while others were swept away by raging rivers.
Dangerous snow drifts from the storm pose additional threats.
In Austria, two skiers were killed and a third seriously injured by an avalanche near the Tyrolean resort of Vent while at least seven German skiers died in another avalanche in the Jam valley leading to Galtuer. In southern Germany, snow threatened to cause further damage Tuesday from avalanches and floods, two days after gales killed at least 16 people. Eight people died when rain, ice and gales hit the United Kingdom over the Christmas break, and strong winds and snow drifts prolonged misery in Switzerland where 13 people died in Sunday's storms. High winds and driving rain continued to thrash Italy Tuesday, causing damage to Rome's historic Campidoglio town hall, delaying flights and whipping up seas. Overworked emergency crews have handled thousands of calls for help since the storms blew in right after Christmas.