Even stronger gusts expected: the next hurricane low will reach the region on Friday afternoon
“Zeynep” follows “Ylenia”
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Hurricane low restricts rail traffic in the region – zoos closed on Saturdays
The German weather service issued another severe weather warning for Berlin and Brandenburg for Friday. The first gusts of wind are expected in the evening. Bahn and ODEG have restricted traffic as a precaution.
– Storm low “Zeynep” should reach the region in the evening, the northern half of Brandenburg and the Berlin area should be affected
– Severe weather warning applies until Saturday morning, gusts of wind up to 120 km/h are possible
As a precaution, Deutsche Bahn stopped long-distance and regional traffic in the federal states in the afternoon, and from the afternoon also affected routes to and from Berlin and in northern Brandenburg. The ODEG is partially discontinuing the RE2 line.
After calm weather on Friday, Berliners and Brandenburgers have to be prepared for a stormy night again. The German weather service expects a hurricane over northern Germany, which can also affect parts of Brandenburg and Berlin. One applies to the region Severe weather warning for the time from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. People should avoid being outdoors as much as possible. The storm can uproot trees and knock down roof tiles.
Particularly high wind speeds are expected on the North Sea and in northern Germany. According to the forecast, the northern half of Brandenburg is hardest hit in the region. It is also expected to be stormy on Saturday. The DWD only expects the wind to decrease again towards evening.
Bahn partially discontinues long-distance and regional traffic
As a precaution, Deutsche Bahn stopped long-distance traffic in parts of Germany on Friday afternoon. Railway spokesman Achim Stauss previously said that this also applies to the connections between Hamburg and Berlin as well as Cologne/Ruhr area and Berlin. Regional connections will also be stopped in western and northwestern Germany. From around 5 p.m., no trains are expected to run north of the Wittenberge – Neustrelitz – Eberswalde line until Saturday morning, this affects the RE3, RE5 and RE6 lines. Experience has shown that it is better to stop traffic early, Stauss explained.
The spokesman recommended that passengers bring forward or postpone their trips. In any case, before driving, YOU should inform yourself about possible indications, for example on the web site [bahn.de].
The railway also referred to last “special goodwill regulations” [bahn.de] for the validity of long-distance tickets already purchased”. All passengers who want to postpone their planned journey due to the restrictions can “either use flexibly or cancel free of charge” booked long-distance tickets.
ODEG line RE2 is also discontinued until Saturday morning
The Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn ODEG is also preparing for the announced storm. Therefore, from 5 p.m., traffic on the RE2 between Wittenberge (Prignitz) and Wismar will be completely stopped. A replacement bus service cannot be offered due to the storm situation, it said.
Traffic is expected to resume on Saturday morning. Initially, the information is expected to be reconnaissance trips to check the routes for storm damage.
The maximum speed of the trains will be reduced on all routes, ODEG Managing Director Roland Pauli announced in the rbb: “If there is a tree on the rail, you won’t go in there at 160 km/h.” Therefore there will be delays . The consequence of higher delays could also be train cancellations.
![Volunteer firefighters from the Odervorland office clear fallen trees from a street in town while the storm Ylenia sweeps across the region. (dpa) Volunteer firefighters from the Odervorland office clear fallen trees from a street in town while the storm Ylenia sweeps across the region. (dpa)](https://www.rbb24.de/content/dam/rbb/rbb/fernsehen/30_favoriten/Wetter/Aufraeumarbeiten2_1920.jpg.jpg/size=708x398.jpg)
Interrupt U3 briefly – tree had to be felled
Although the climax of the hurricane in Berlin is not expected until the evening hours, the first weather-related disruption to public transport occurred on Friday afternoon. A tree threatened to fall onto the tracks on subway line 3 between Breitenbachplatz and Krumme Lanke. It had to be dropped as a precaution, which is why replacement traffic was set up in this area for about an hour, as the BVG announced on Twitter.
The severe weather warning is in effect until Saturday morning
The reason for this is wind and gusts of wind with speeds of 60 to 75 kilometers per hour, which according to the DWD can occur until the afternoon. In the evening and in the night of Saturday, heavy gusts of wind up to hurricane-like gusts of 90 to 120 kilometers per hour can follow.
According to DWD information, “weather conditions with high potential for severe weather” can be assumed. The weather service advises to follow the further weather forecasts carefully. In addition, the meteorologists warn against staying outdoors during the storm. Windows and doors should be closed and loose items secured.
The severe weather warning is in effect until Saturday morning. It’s supposed to be stormy on Saturday. According to the DWD, the wind is not expected to weaken significantly until Saturday evening.
Zoo, Tierpark Berlin and Tierpark Cottbus closed on Saturdays
Meanwhile, the Zoological Garden announced that the gates of the Zoo and Tierpark Berlin will be closed on Saturday as a precaution. Falling branches of the old trees could pose a danger to visitors, and the animals would also be housed in houses and stables to be on the safe side, it said.
On Thursday, the zoo in particular was hit hard by the hurricane gusts. “More than 20 trees and various construction fences have fallen over.” Provided no serious storm damage occurs and the storm calms down, the zoo and animal park are expected to reopen on Sunday. The Aquarium Berlin, on the other hand, will remain open.
The Tierpark Cottbus will also be closed on Saturday. The municipal company announced this on Friday. It is planned to reopen to visitors on Sunday.
Olympic rings dismantled in front of the Olympic Stadium
Because of the storm in Berlin, the Olympic rings were taken down between the Prussian and Bavarian towers in front of the Olympic Stadium. When exactly the rings will return to their original location, Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH could not say when asked by rbb on Friday. However, it is assumed that it will not be possible in time for the home game against Leipzig.
![The suspended Olympic rings are in front of the Olympic Stadium (Source: Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH) The suspended Olympic rings are in front of the Olympic Stadium (Source: Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH)](https://www.rbb24.de/content/dam/rbb/rbb/rbb24/2022/2022_02/imago-images/274164593_4808007879316191_4258220284327950485_n.png.png/size=708x398.png)
Berlin fire brigade with 1,366 missions
After the hurricane “Ylenia” passed through, the Berlin fire brigade only lifted the state of emergency again on Friday night. According to its own statements, it has been deployed to 1,366 weather-related missions. Fallen trees are particularly problematic. The fire brigades were also in constant use in Brandenburg. Thousands of households were without electricity, especially in the south of the country. A total of eight people were injured by falling trees.
For the emergency services, the approach of hurricane low “Zeynep” means that they can only take a deep breath. And that there might be more work to do. Because “Zeynep” could sometimes bring even stronger hurricanes than “Ylenia”.
![On February 17th, 2022, the waves on Lake Tegel hit the Greenwich Promenade meters high. (Source: dpa/Jörg Carstensen) On February 17th, 2022, the waves on Lake Tegel hit the Greenwich Promenade meters high. (Source: dpa/Jörg Carstensen)](https://www.rbb24.de/content/dam/rbb/rbb/rbb24/2022/2022_02/dpa-account/275208478-1.jpg.jpg/size=708x398.jpg)
Broadcast: Inforadio, February 18, 2022, 4 p.m