German weather service weakens severe weather warning for Berlin and Brandenburg
Lausitz hardest hit by the low
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German weather service weakens severe weather warning for the region
Although the “Emmelinde” depression brought rain and lightning to Berlin and Brandenburg, there was no storm like that in western Germany. The firefighters had strengthened as a precaution.
The German Weather Service (DWD) has lifted its official warning of severe storm and hurricane gusts for Berlin and Brandenburg. The feared storms did not materialize with the arrival of low “Emmelinde” in Berlin and Brandenburg on Friday evening.
It was raining heavily in the capital, with occasional thunder and lightning. The situation was “absolutely calm,” said a spokesman for the Berlin fire department later in the evening. So far, there have been no reports of flooded basements, nor have the emergency services had to move out because of lightning strikes.
No major cases were initially known from Brandenburg either. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms were recorded there, especially over the Lausitz. Official warnings of severe thunderstorms remained in place into the night.
Warning against staying outdoors – also on Saturday
The Berlin Senate Department for the Environment and Climate Protection warned on Friday against entering green areas or even forests during the announced storm due to the weather conditions. Falling branches or treetops could be life-threatening. Even with street trees in the urban area, there is a risk that branches could break off and fall down – even if the storm should clear up on Saturday. The danger also applies to roof tiles or scaffolding parts that may have come loose in the city center.
The DWD expects the storm to last into the night over Berlin and Brandenburg. Then the rain and storm front would move away and bring much cooler air with them. Quite moderate temperatures are expected in the region on Saturday, around 18 to 22 degrees. Showers are still possible in the morning – “and then the spook is over,” said meteorologist Torsten Walter from the ARD weather competence center to rbb: “A dry sun-cloud mix will accompany us all weekend.”
fire brigade prepared
The fire brigades in Berlin and Brandenburg had prepared for increased weather-related operations. As a precaution, the Berlin fire brigade called several volunteer fire brigades into service, as they announced on Twitter on Friday evening: “They are immediately available to help us in the event of increasing emergency calls.”
In order not to overload the switchboard, the Lausitz control center asked not to dial the emergency number because of every falling branch. During the previous storm in February, the control center had to process more than 1,600 emergency calls and more than 1,000 operations. According to the Lausitz control center, ten people will be deployed. If necessary, the staff can be increased at short notice, a spokesman for the control center told rbb on Friday.
Damage mainly in North Rhine-Westphalia
In the afternoon, the storm in western Germany is already causing damage, injuries and one death. A man star in Rhineland-Palatinate when he entered a flooded basement: The 38-year-old experienced an electric shock.
The Ahr valley in Rhineland-Palatinate, which was affected by a flood disaster last year, had been in an alarm mood since the morning. Due to the warning of heavy rain and gusts of wind, all schools in the sponsorship of the Ahrweiler district remained closed.
The fire brigade in Paderborn (North Rhine-Westphalia) reported covered roofs and uprooted trees. According to the police in the evening, 30 people were injured. There was also severe damage in Lippstadt, about 35 kilometers away – probably from a tornado.
In addition, there were also considerable restrictions on train traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia. In some regions, such as in Cologne, the lessons are also canceled and something strange: In Solingen, a Christmas market had to be postponed to Saturday. The market was canceled in winter due to corona and should now actually be made up for.
Insurers: More storm damage, shorter intervals
According to the insurance association GDV, the amount of damage caused by storm damage in Brandenburg rose from 36 to 43 million euros between 2020 and 2021, an increase of more than 19 percent. In Berlin it was a jump from eleven to 30 million euros, an increase of 272 percent.
Even if the years differ greatly due to the special nature of individual storms, the insurers observe a clear development. “Overall, we are seeing an increase in damage throughout Germany and also in Berlin and Brandenburg from storms and extreme weather events. 2021 was the year with the most damage in Berlin and Brandenburg due to storms such as heavy rain, storms, hail and flooding/flooding,” said Anja Käfer-Rohrbach on Friday , Deputy General Manager of the General Association of the German Insurance Industry (GDV) the rbb. “There is an alternation between years with more damage and years with less damage. Due to climate change, we are seeing that the intervals are becoming shorter and the damage is increasing,” she said.
Broadcast: rbb24 evening show, May 19, 2022, 7:30 p.m
Broadcast: evening show, May 20th, 2022, 7:30 p.m
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