Catastrophic weather event in Mannheim: Tree collapses onto moving streetcar
A violent storm hit Mannheim and the surrounding Rhein-Neckar district on Friday, causing numerous incidents and disruptions. The storm, which featured heavy rain and strong gusts, led to the uprooting of many trees and branches, blocking roads and disrupting tram services.
The Mannheim fire department was kept busy responding to ten weather-related incidents, although the exact number is not specified. The storm-related debris caused significant local damage, with a tree crashing onto a tram in one instance [2].
The storm's impact was not limited to Mannheim. Regional long-distance train services, including the Stuttgart–Mannheim corridor, experienced cancellations and delays due to the storm [1]. This suggests widespread disruptions beyond just the city of Mannheim.
In Mannheim, basements flooded, particularly in the Franklin district. Underground car parks, elevator shafts, and a street section blocked by branches were also reported in the city. The emergency services had to pump water out of basements until the night due to a second storm front [2].
Branches broke off and lay on roads and sidewalks, causing traffic light failures in some areas. In addition, many trees fell onto cars, but thankfully no injuries were reported.
The storm also affected nearby towns such as Weinheim, Edingen-Neckarhausen, and Ladenburg, where some basements flooded, and several trees were uprooted. In Weinheim, a fire equipment house had water enter its basement and had to be pumped out again.
To help with the transportation disruptions, an emergency service with eight buses was set up between Eberbach and Seckach. The railway line between Zwingenberg (Baden) and Mosbach-Neckarelz, which was closed in the Neckar-Odenwald district due to the storm, has now reopened.
[1] Stuttgarter Nachrichten
[2] Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung
- The severity of the storm's damage extended beyond Mannheim, affecting nearby towns such as Weinheim, Edingen-Neckarhausen, and Ladenburg, where several trees were uprooted and some basements flooded.
- Accidents caused by fallen trees on roads and sidewalks occurred not only in Mannheim but also in other areas, including Weinheim, where a tree crashed onto a tram and a fire equipment house had water enter its basement.
