Malta is known for its 300 days of sunshine per annum, yet 2019 – and all the freak storms that came with it – has given that claim a run for its money. With one particularly terrifying storm (affectionately nicknamed and forever marked down in popular history as Hurricane Dnegel) featuring on several international news portals, 2019 is going to be remembered for its tumultuous atmosphere.
Although some storms caused severe structural damage – to an extent we hadn’t yet seen in our lifetimes, they did provide us with some jaw-dropping footage of high winds storming our coasts. Here are the most stunning (and downright scary) storm videos from 2019!
Wrong timing!
A traveller was in for a nasty surprise when instead of sun he found this sight to welcome them to the Maltese islands!
Hurricane Dnegel
Malta’s worst thunderstorm in over 30 years, this February hurricane brought the islands to its knees and sent insurance brokers into a spiral.
...and by spiral, we do mean SPIRAL.
The winds marked peak gusts of 133km/hr, which battered the island and facilitated the coast’s erosion.
It got so bad that the restraints around the fish farm broke and hundreds escaped. Unfortunately, they didn’t make it far as the forceful waves washed most ashore.
Many braved the horrible conditions for a spot of roadside fishing. It proved such a sight that news sites picked up on it. The footage even got as far as China!
Footage of a ginourmous wave battering a lighthouse even featured on UK News website Daily Mail’s compilation video of storm videos from around the island. Can you spot Malta?
Did you see that?!
Malta has also had it’s fair share of thunderstorms. This video captures all our reactions as we peaked through the blinds in half-amazement, half-trepidation, hoping to spot a majestic lightning strike.
No thank you!
Although the weather in this video is relatively mild compared to other shortlisted videos, it proves the relevance of the Maltese saying: il-bahar zaqqu radba u rasu iebsa (the sea has a soft tummy but also a hard headed attitude). No social media efforts are worth the risk!
That doesn't look safe!
One Gozitan couple were out for a walk during last weekend’s storm, hoping to capture some cool nature photos when they came across two daredevils at Wied il-Mielah. Gigantic waves threatened to engulf the duo despite their high altitude and Joanne Mohr confirms that it was a very dangerous situation indeed.
“The wind was very strong and high waves were coming in continuously, hitting the rocks and forming huge splashes,” Joanne states, adding that “the two individuals in the video were risking their lives taking pictures of the waves.”
Luckily, no harm came to anyone and the video ends with a stunning rainbow emerging from the water droplets as the waves cascaded down the rocks.
Makes you want to curl up in bed doesn't it?