Hurricane-force winds cut power and wreaked havoc in England and Scotland, as Storm Xaver blasted towards mainland Europe.<br/> <br />Strong winds battered Scotland, and killed a truck driver whose vehicle was swept on top of two cars in West Lothian. Four people were injured.<br/> <br />Crews rescued stranded neighbors from their flooded homes in Rhyl, north of Wales.<br/> <br />Margaret Smith took it all in stride:<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) RHYL RESIDENT, MARGARET SMITH, SAYING:<br/> <br />"I was a Girl Guide so I was well prepared. The water just came in, full stop. I was here in 1990 when the same thing happened. No problem."<br/> <br />Though some residents remained prepared, British authorities said the Thames Barrier would shut on Thursday night and warned people of - quote -"the most serious coastal tidal surge for over 60 years in England".<br/> <br />In Germany, Northern regions braced themselves, as the storm approached the coastline, threatening winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
