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Heavy storms sweep across Bavaria

Hurricane-like winds and heavy rains caused hundreds of thousands of euros in damage in Bavaria overnight - the second time this week that wild weather has hit the southern German state.

Published: 14 July 2011 09:14 CEST

Heavy storms sweep across Bavaria

Photo: DPA

Many of the roughly 600 emergency calls involved flooded basements and blocked roads due to fallen trees and stray branches.

No-one has been injured, but the weather caused widespread power outages and damage in the state, which was just recovering from a previous storm on July 11 that caused torrential rains and landslides.

In the Deggendorf district several power poles were bent by the storm, leaving surrounding communities without electricity. A few kilometres away, a wind gust tore a hole in the top of an indoor arena. One family lost their entire roof in the storm.

On the A92 motorway, a strong gust of wind threw a truck across one lane of traffic, causing delays for several hours.

Trains were affected too, causing temporary blockages – some of which had not been cleared by Thursday morning.

Weather in much of southern Germany looked set to stay stormy on Thursday, with rain and wind throughout much of the region.

Click here for The Local’s weather forecast.

The Local/DAPD/mdm

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More rain forecast as storms hit western Germany

Major storms hit western Germany on Thursday, causing travel disruption and flooding.

In parts of Baden-Württemberg, streets were flooded and rivers swelled. Bisingen, southwest of Tübingen, was particularly hard hit, with cellars and streets plunged under water.

Police said there was also traffic disruption. In Baden-Württemberg’s state capital Stuttgart, severe storms and lightning caused issues and some roads were closed.

A lightning strike in the Sigmaringen area resulted in a broken signal box on the railway line. According to Deutsche Bahn, no train journeys were possible in the region in the early evening with several delays and cancellations.

Other states were also affected.

There were around 300 relief operations in the Ahrweiler district in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was hit by the 2021 deadly flood disaster.

Police said no-on was injured, although basements and streets were flooded. The water levels of the Ahr were being closely monitored.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday.

Emergency services in Bisingen on Thursday. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Silas Stein

In Trier, too, streets were flooded after heavy rain and there were hailstorms. The Koblenz police headquarters reported fallen trees. Significant property damage due to full cellars and flooded streets was also reported in some areas.

Heavy showers also fell in Hesse, accompanied by thunder storms. In Frankfurt, according to the fire department, the heavy rain caused water to enter the Bethanien Hospital and even reach the intensive care unit of the clinic.

“We were able to contain the damage relatively quickly and prevent it from spreading,” said fire department spokesman Thorben Schemmel, adding that no patients were affected.

In Rhineland-Palatinate, the Eifel region was particularly affected, with reports of flooded streets after heavy rain and hailstorms.

North Rhine-Westphalia also saw storms late in the afternoon on Thursday.

The German Weather Service (DWD) said it expected some heavy rain and hail in parts of the country on Friday – particularly in the west – and at the weekend but warnings of severe weather have been lifted.

The DWD said there could still be one or two strong thunderstorms in the northeast on Friday. However, it will be a significantly quieter day compared to Thursday. Temperatures of up to 25C can be expected.

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