Germany Experiences Severe Storm Outburst
After the heavy downpour subsides, Germany recalls an afternoon and evening marred by turbulent weather. Some areas experienced hailstorms and thunder, causing disruption, particularly for soccer fans who had to adapt their plans. overall, the country managed to weather the storm relatively unharmed.
Flooded streets, abandoned train passengers, and shuttered fan zones: Powerful thunderstorms with the potential for extreme weather plagued sections of Germany. The weather improved by nightfall, and the German Meteorological Service (DWD) rescinded all severe weather alerts. Significant damage was averted. Meteorologists had warned of a dire weather situation. However, the danger has not entirely subsided: In certain areas, more intense thunderstorms may materialize.
Areas spanning a broad swath in central Germany, from west to east, were hit by the storms on Tuesday. In the late evening, several regions in Thuringia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Brandenburg were placed under severe weather alerts.
Meteorologists had issued warnings of potential hazards, especially since the European Football Championship was underway. Several fan zones in various states were shut down proactively, including in Dortmund, where the match between Turkey and Georgia took place. In Leipzig, the EM fan zone was eventually shut down due to approaching storms. The match between Portugal and the Czech Republic was being played in the fair trade city at the time.
minor property damages
Germany suffered limited damage from the latest thunderstorms. On the roads, accidents occurred due to wet roads. A car skidded on the A4 motorway near Weimar due to aquaplaning, crashing into a truck carrying hazardous materials, according to the police. The truck caught fire afterwards.
In southern Thuringia, large hailstones caused minor damages to cars and metal roofs. No injuries were reported, according to the police. A road in the Landkreis Hildburghausen was completely blanketed with hailstones the size of golf balls. The road was cleared and reopened, the police reported. No accidents were recorded.
In several states, the fire department responded to calls. In the Landkreis Meissen in Saxony, strong wind gusts resulted in multiple reports. The fire department reported a tornado to the Meissen control center, according to a police spokesperson. A tree fell onto railway tracks in Groditz. The DWD stated that a tornado "is possible," but this needs to be confirmed.
passengers stranded in Grevenbroich
The fire department in North Rhine-Westphalia's Grevenbroich was busy dealing with heavy rainfall. In two instances, passengers had to be rescued who were trapped in their vehicles due to flooded undercarriages, according to the city fire department. In flood-affected neighborhoods, the water in basements rose up to a meter in height, water entered apartments from sewers. In one district, a regional railway line was temporarily closed due to extensive flooding of the tracks.
In Brandenburg, passengers of an Eurocity to Prague were left stranded due to an overhead wire fault. A tree fell onto the overhead wire, according to a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson. The passengers were forced to abandon the train at Elsterwerda and were transferred to buses. The stretch between Dresden and Berlin was closed on Wednesday due to repairs, with no estimated duration for the repairs provided, a spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn stated on Wednesday morning. Trains are being diverted.
The threat of adverse weather in Germany persists - in some areas, heavy rain showers and thunderstorms are anticipated as early as Wednesday. The weather service has not ruled out individual thunderstorms with large hail and strong wind gusts for the nights of Wednesday and Thursday.
According to weather.de, powerful thunderstorms are expected first in the Lusatia region and in the eastern part of the Middle Mountain Range. Throughout the day, strong thunderstorms with hail, strong wind gusts, and heavy rain are predicted from the Palatinate to North Bavaria and in the Ore Mountains. In the late afternoon and evening, there are also expected to be strong thunderstorms along the Alb, at the Alps, and in the foothills.
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Despite the improvement in weather conditions, international meteorological organizations continue to monitor the region closely due to the potential for additional extreme weather events. Mitigating strategies, such as early warning systems and evacuation plans, are essential in preparing for potential storms and ensuring the safety of those in affected areas.
Given the significant international focus on extreme weather events following recent instances of severe storms and extreme weather in various parts of the world, it is crucial for countries like Germany to have robust meteorological infrastructure and professional meteorologists to predict and respond to such events effectively.
