Severe Storm Causes Extensive Damage to Berlin's Forests

A severe storm has wreaked havoc in Berlin, particularly impacting the city's forests. This is the second time in a week that the capital has faced such extreme weather conditions, prompting emergency services to operate at full capacity. Thousands of trees were uprooted in the Tegeler Forest and significant damage was reported in the Spandauer Forest, according to statements from the Senate Administration for the Environment. Access to these areas has been restricted due to safety concerns.

The Berlin Fire Department reported over 850 storm-related incidents since Thursday evening, indicative of the relentless demands placed on their resources. Emergency responders have treated at least three individuals for injuries sustained during the storm, with one person suffering life-threatening injuries after being struck by debris on Gendarmenmarkt. In another incident, a pedestrian was injured by a falling tree in Heiligensee, and a vehicle was damaged when a tree fell on it.

The storm, which began around 6 PM on Thursday, brought strong winds, hail, and heavy rain, leading to what officials described as an extremely challenging situation. A spokesperson for the fire department noted that their teams were stretched to their limits during the crisis.

As a safety precaution, the S-Bahn service across Berlin was suspended temporarily, similar to the measures taken during a previous storm earlier in the week. Despite the storm's brief duration, it was particularly fierce, causing around 30 trees to fall onto the tracks and resulting in multiple train collisions with fallen debris.

On Friday, some regional train services experienced delays, but authorities expected to gradually lift the restrictions throughout the day. However, disruptions on the S1 and S25 lines in northern Berlin may persist into Saturday due to storm damage. Repairs were underway, with bus replacements provided for affected routes.

This situation has considerably affected attendees of the Fusion music festival, who were traveling from Berlin to the festival site in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Efforts were made to ensure that festival-goers could reach their destination despite the disruptions.

The German Weather Service had issued severe weather warnings for Berlin and large parts of Brandenburg, forecasting wind gusts of up to 110 kilometers per hour. Initial reports indicated that wind speeds in Berlin reached approximately 95 kilometers per hour.

In anticipation of the storm, volunteer fire brigades were activated, calling in personnel who were on leave to assist with the emergency response. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed, with additional support from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief.

On Friday, further storm warnings were issued, this time predicting gusts of up to 60 kilometers per hour. The environmental authorities have highlighted the ongoing risks in the forests, where there is a danger from falling branches and weakened trees. Assessing the full extent of the storm damage will take time, as access to some forest areas remains limited due to debris blocking the paths.

Detailed evaluations of the storm's impact on the forests are expected to be available in the coming week.