Severe Storm System Hits Germany, Causing Injuries and Ferry Cancellations

A severe storm system has swept across Germany, resulting in damage and injuries in several federal states. Reports indicate that at least two individuals have sustained injuries due to the adverse weather conditions. On the North Sea coast, a storm surge occurred, significantly affecting ferry services in Schleswig-Holstein.

In the southern Black Forest region, two people were seriously injured when a falling tree struck their minibus. The 58-year-old driver was airlifted to a hospital, while the 57-year-old passenger was transported by ambulance for treatment. In another incident in the Harz region of Saxony-Anhalt, strong winds hampered rescue operations following an accident that left three individuals seriously injured and two others with minor injuries.

Authorities temporarily closed several roads across the country due to downed trees and branches obstructing traffic. Police and firefighters responded to approximately 50 incidents related to fallen trees in Baden-Württemberg's Rems-Murr region, Ostalbkreis, and Schwäbisch Hall area.

Along the coasts, the anticipated storm surge reached the shores of Schleswig-Holstein, with the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency predicting water levels could rise up to two meters above average. The German Weather Service warned of wind gusts reaching up to 100 kilometers per hour along with rain. Despite the hazardous conditions, some windsurfers took to the waters off the North Sea island of Sylt, showing resilience amidst the storm. On Norderney, the storm caused flooding at a campsite, overturning beach chairs and pushing waves to the dunes.

Ferry services experienced significant disruptions, with the Weser ferry in Bremerhaven temporarily suspending operations due to high water levels. Additionally, services between Schlüttsiel and the Halligen were cancelled, as reported by the Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei. Similar cancellations occurred in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

The German Weather Service had anticipated wind speeds exceeding 50 kilometers per hour in lowland areas, while elevated regions like the Brocken in the Harz could see gusts reaching 110 kilometers per hour. A severe weather warning was issued for this region. Meteorologists noted that the storm system would lose strength over the Baltic Sea on Monday, with expected reductions in wind speeds. However, residual cool, moist air will continue to bring clouds and intermittent rainfall across much of the country, with temperatures ranging from 11 to 15 degrees Celsius, and possibly reaching 17 degrees in the northeast.

Other European nations also experienced the impacts of the storm system, although widespread damage was limited. In Brussels, Belgium, emergency services responded to around 90 incidents related to fallen trees and debris. In Scotland and Norway, some households faced power outages due to damaged utility poles caused by fallen trees, but restoration efforts were underway.

In an unusual incident in Munich, a contractor found himself trapped in an apartment on the 13th floor of a newly constructed building due to a strong gust of wind slamming the door shut. Emergency responders were called to assist, ultimately rescuing the individual using a cherry picker to access the balcony of the high-rise.