SKOPJE, Macedonia — Torrential rain and floods in Macedonia's capital left at least 21 people dead, six missing and dozens injured, authorities said Sunday as police and army helicopters searched for the missing and evacuated hundreds from the flood zone.
The heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms struck Skopje and its northern suburbs late Saturday. Special police, army units and firefighters were sent to the worst-hit areas as well as the nearby villages of Stajkovci, Aracinovo and Smiljkovci.
Hundreds of homes and vehicles were destroyed by the floods, roads were impassable and several areas were without electricity. Authorities said more than 1,000 people had been evacuated so far.
Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski described the damage as "the worst Skopje has ever seen." He said that the deadly deluge created hazardous rainfall accumulations within only 20 minutes.
"It was like a water bomb has fallen," he said.
Many witnesses have described that victims drowned after being trapped in their houses when torrents suddenly swept through the area.
Skopje's City Council held an emergency session and decided to provide financial help to victims' families, giving about $3,300 to each. Authorities said they will open shelters for people from affected areas.
After a meeting of the National Crisis Management Center, Health Minister Nikola Todorov said many of the injured had fractures and contusions. He said the government plans to declare a state of emergency for two weeks in the most affected areas.
Meteorologists said more torrential rain and strong winds were expected later Sunday.
Read Monday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.