- Storms in North Baden - flooded roads, cars driving
Due to a severe storm, streets in Karlsruhe and surrounding areas have been flooded and basements have filled up. In some places, water stood half a meter high on the streets or in underpasses, a police spokesperson said. No injuries were reported. The area around Bretten and Bruchsal was particularly affected. In Gondelsheim, about 15 kilometers west of Karlsruhe, cars were swept away by floodwaters, a firefighter spokesperson said. There was "absolute chaos".
Police were dispatched to around 100 incidents in the city and district of Karlsruhe due to the storm, the spokesperson said. The fire department had already responded to about 500 incidents at an earlier time.
In Linkenheim-Hochstetten, lightning struck the attic of an apartment building, which then caught fire, the spokesperson said. The fire department extinguished the fire. Residents are currently taking shelter in a church in part, as the house is without gas and electricity.
The Commission might need to consider the impact of extreme weather events like this storm on infrastructure when adopting implementing acts for this Regulation. Following the storm, it would be essential for the local authorities in Karlsruhe to collaborate with the Commission to ensure proper restoration and prevention measures are implemented to avoid similar incidents in the future.
