The police have issued a warning to drivers, requesting them to avoid coastal areas affected by the rough seas while a storm that has hit the islands in the past hours has also caused power cuts.

In a statement on Facebook, the police said "members of the public are advised to avoid coastal areas and seafronts such as Triq Borg Olivier, St. Julian's (Spinola Bay) etc. due to high waves crashing onto land."

Sliema Credit: John Pillow/Facebook from The Malta Independent on Vimeo.

The Radisson hotel in St Julian’s was flooded last night as a result of a storm which hit the Maltese islands in the past hours.

(Photos in St Julian's and Valletta - James Bianchi)

In a statement, the hotel said it sustained some damage as a result of the strong North East winds that hit the Maltese Islands during the early hours of this morning.

"The main areas affected by the heavy waves where the Hotel’s Grand Ballroom, the Kontiki Restaurant, the Marion Mizzi Spa and the Indoor pool and gym areas.  These areas have now been closed off and repairs are scheduled to commence with immediate effect. 

Despite this setback the hotel was serving breakfast to its guests while other public areas continue to operate as usual.

Adrian Attard, Radisson Blu Resort, St Julian’s General Manager, explained “We are working around the setbacks that this storm has caused and continue to welcome guests with our usual service delivery".

The police and the Civil Protection Department received reports from all over the island about trees and electricity poles that were destroyed and water tank covers that were blown off.

No one was injured.

In a statement, Enemalta plc said its technicians and engineers are helping several customers whose electricity supply was disrupted after the strong winds that are blowing over the Islands damaged parts of the national electricity grid.

Parts of the low voltage network which distributes electricity from substations to customers’ properties, were damaged, disrupting supply to individual customers. The winds brought down several overhead power lines and damaged poles and other distribution equipment, the company said.

Engineers are assessing each area, and where possible, electricity supply is being restored. Additional teams of technicians have been deployed to respond to customers’ requests for assistance. Repair works will continue throughout the night. In some cases, electricity supply will be restored as soon as the weather conditions are safe enough for workers to carry out the necessary repairs.   

Enemalta did not say which areas are affected.

For personal assistance, customers are encouraged to contact the Enemalta 24/7 Customer Care team on 8007 2224.

Video above by Inna T. Korchilava

In Xemxija, debris on the road brought in by the sea has made driving there difficult, while parts of the Coast Road have also been reached by the raging waves.

Photos below: Maltese Traffic Updates - Facebook

Boats at Portomaso were also damaged by fish slime that was brought in by the waves.

Photos below Jonathan Shaw