Severe storms hit Northern Europe

LONDON—Severe windstorms across Northern Europe left at least 25 people dead Thursday and caused disruption to air and rail travel.

High winds and rain resulted in 10 deaths in the United Kingdom, and severe weather in the Czech Republic, France, Germany and the Netherlands also resulted in fatalities.

Denmark was also hit by severe weather.

The U.K.'s Meteorological Office said that the "severe gale-force" winds recorded in the United Kingdom were the strongest since 1990.

The London-based Association of British Insurers said it believed that the high winds and heavy rain look "set to occur more frequently and cause more expensive damage in the future unless action is taken now."

"While claims for damage following bad weather this winter have so far been what insurers expect, climate change looks set to increase the risk," the ABI said in a statement.