Storms Zap Power in Russia

Workers in Russia’s Khabarovsk Territory worked Wednesday to restore power to several dozen settlements following a hurricane and thunderstorm.

Gale force winds that swept through the area Tuesday night ripped roofs off houses, downed trees and tore up transmission lines blocking roads, Itar-Tass reported.

Lightning struck a transformer substation in the village of Svyatogorye starting a fire that burned the facility.

In the Vyazemsky district more than 5,500 residents were left without power when pylons collapsed and transmission lines tore.

The Khabarovsk Territory is in far southeastern Russia about 18 miles from the border with China.

An unusual downpour for August was reported in Moscow where nearly an inch of rain fell Tuesday afternoon snarling traffic throughout the city, The Moscow Times reported.

Workers from the city water department fanned out to make sure all storm drains were clear.