Northern Europe has taken a battering in a storm that has claimed over a dozen lives, caused flooding, transport chaos and left hundreds of thousands without electricity. In Sweden, seven deaths were reported, including three motorists whose cars were hit by falling trees. Two nuclear reactors had to be closed down, temporarily. Massive power cuts hit households in several countries, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Estonia. An electricity crisis was declared by the Latvian government. In northern England three people died amid flooding. Two others were missing in the UK. The wild weather has meant misery for motorists in Estonia. For many, getting from A to B was simply impossible. Summoning help also proved difficult with mobile and fixed line telephones hit. The storm created chaos as far east as St Petersburg, Russia's second city. Amid fears of flooding, six underground stations had to be closed. **PHOTO CAPTION*** A car drives along a flooded road in southern Denmark. (AFP)