1.   The area was battered by rain, wind and lightning.

2.   The area was severely battered in German bombing raids during World War II, but much of historic interest remains.

3.   The two days of raging storms also battered surrounding areas.

4.   After a short-lived letup in weather conditions, another blizzard swept across Lebanon Wednesday, with heavy rains battering coastal areas and snow blocking most mountain roads.

5.   But frontline areas were badly battered on both sides.

6.   Frontline areas were badly battered on both sides.

7.   Southern Guangdong province, meanwhile, braced for Tropical Storm Penny, which was expected to batter the area Tuesday with violent winds and torrential rains.

8.   The heavy rains, caused by Typhoon Usagi, continued to batter other areas of northern Thailand on Monday, but were moving westward to Myanmar.

9.   The heavy rains, caused by Typhoon Usagi, continued to batter other areas of northern Thailand on Monday.

10.   The French national weather service Meteo-France said violent winds would continue to batter the area from Monday night to Tuesday.