Updated | The aftermath of a rare cyclone that hit Malta

All strung up: the mobile police station in Marsascala secured to the ground (SLIDESHOW by Ray Attard)

Civil Protection personnel were in a constant struggle yesterday to effect rescues during the rare Mediterranean cyclone that hit Malta on Friday afternoon.

CPD officers worked incessantly from 4pm to 6am on Saturday morning during which personnel rescue three persons unable to emerge from their vehicles when they got trapped in high water.

25 trees and unhinged electricity cables blocked streets in Kirkop, Għajn Dwieli, Mosta, Paola, Mrieħel, Għaxaq, Attard, Burmarrad, Mistra, Wardija, Luqa, Żejtun, Ta’ Qali, Baħrija. Msida, Pembroke, Swieqi, Marsa, Bormla and Floriana.

F.S. Caruana Street in Birkirkara flooded with accumulated rainwater

One billboard toppled over and blocked a road, and two houses reported flooding.

One electrical pylon had to be removed becyase of the danger it was posing, and one commercial establishment reported a fire due to the storm.

CPD personnel are still attending to traffic issues due to waterlogged roads.

The strong winds also overturned containers currently stored at the Malta Freeport, as confirmed by photos sent in by a MaltaToday reader.

Strong winds caused damage at the Malta Freeport

Italy's civil protection department yesterday issued a warning of a cyclone, putting 10 regions from the southern Italian mainland on alert.

The low-pressure area centred on Malta and extended to Sicily, resulting in Force 6-7 winds reaching gale force, gusting up to 60 knots. The winds died down on Saturday morning.

On Friday, Malta International Airport temporarily suspended all aircraft activity at the airport due to bad weather until further notice. "MIA is committed to prioritising passenger safety and will also make sure to keep the public and press informed of any updates. Passengers are advised to check for flight updates on www.maltairport.com or to contact their airline. We apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience caused," the airport said.

The Gozo Channel also stopped all ferry crossings, with long queues of motorists and commuters left stranded on the Cirkewwa dock.

Enemalta technicians and engineers had to restore electricity supply to several areas in Malta and Gozo after the strong winds that hit the islands damaged several parts of the electricity grid.

The first high tension fault was registered at around 5pm, affecting electricity supply in parts of Rabat, Mgarr, Bahrija and Mtahleb.

Power outages were subsequently reported in other localities, including parts of Mellieha, Bugibba and St. Paul’s Bay. The winds brought down overhead power lines and damaged poles and other equipment causing supply disruptions to individual customers or streets in other localities.

Mediterranean tropical cyclones, sometimes referred to as Mediterranean hurricanes or medicanes, are rare meteorological phenomena observed in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the dry nature of the Mediterranean region, formation of tropical cyclones is infrequent, with only 99 recorded tropical-like storms between 1948 and 2011.

MaltaWeatherSite.com issued an alert warning of severe and damaging wind gusts from a southerly direction as the eye of the Mediterranean cyclone moves across the Maltese Islands. "This is valid till midnight. Maximum significant wave heights expected to be W 6.6 metres. Possible heavy rain showers with localised flooding."