Munich, July 13, 2024, The Europe Today: A major storm swept through Upper Bavaria and Swabia in the southern German state of Bavaria on Friday evening, flooding streets and basements and causing significant traffic disruptions due to fallen trees.
The storm’s intensity transformed roads into a winter wonderland in the middle of summer, necessitating the use of snowplows and shovels to clear heavy hail showers. The severe weather conditions also forced the cancellation of open-air events in Munich and Regensburg.
Affected Areas in Upper Bavaria
In Kempten, located southwest of Munich, local police reported that roads were blanketed by hail, and emergency services received approximately 700 calls between 6 p.m. (1600 GMT) and Saturday morning. Hail accumulation brought traffic to a standstill on some roads. A police spokesperson in Kempten confirmed that by morning, all roads were clear, and the water had drained away.
The hardest-hit areas included the Allgäu region and the district of Lindau, near Lake Constance and the Austrian border. Clean-up efforts, including pumping out flooded cellars, continued well into the night. Police in Rosenheim, further east, reported an additional 230 calls for service, with crews responding to flooded basements and fallen trees blocking roads and, in some cases, railroad tracks. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Heavy Rains in Lower Saxony
The storm also impacted northern Germany, where heavy rains caused flooded basements and streets in parts of Lower Saxony on Friday. Emergency services were particularly busy in the county of Grafschaft Bentheim, near the Dutch border, with the town of Nordhorn recording over 100 incidents. Flooding forced the temporary closure of a hospital emergency room, and overflowing reservoirs caused further damage in residential areas. Several roads were temporarily closed, and around 200 firefighters were mobilized to address the flooding.
Weather Forecast
The German Weather Service anticipates isolated thunderstorms bringing more heavy rain to Lower Saxony on Saturday and Sunday, especially in coastal areas. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential further disruptions.
The recent storm highlights the unpredictability of weather patterns and the importance of swift emergency response to mitigate the impact of such natural events on communities.
