Stormy Calamity in Berlin's Forests - Firefighters' Exhausting Efforts
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Catastrophic forest damage from storms: Fire department overwhelmed - Forests suffer extensive destruction from the storm - Firefighters remain vigilant
A ferocious storm has wreaked havoc on Berlin's forests, with the Tegeler Forest in the city's northwest taking the brunt of the damage. Thousands of trees have been uprooted, and the Spandauer Forest also shows significant damages, as reported by the Senate Department for the Environment. Due to the safety risks, both forests have been temporarily shut down to the public. The cemeteries in Berlin-Mitte will also remain closed this weekend due to storm-related damage.
The Berlin Fire Department has been operating in overdrive for the second time this week due to the vicious storm. Over 850 weather-related incidents were recorded since Thursday, according to the department's representative, Vinzenz Kasch.
At least three individuals sustained injuries severe enough to be hospitalized, as reported by the fire department. On the Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin-Mitte, an unfortunate soul was struck by debris and suffered life-threatening head injuries. Additionally, two other people were hit by trees in Heiligensee: a pedestrian fell into a ditch after being struck by a tree, while an automobile was destroyed when a tree crashed down on it.
Besides private properties, the storm caused mayhem for transportation services - the S-Bahn traffic was completely halted for safety reasons, echoing the disruptions experienced during the storm on Monday. Although the storm didn't last long, it was incredibly intense. Around 30 trees collapsed onto the tracks in various locations, resulting in eight collisions between trains and fallen trees or poles.
As a precaution, the entire S-Bahn traffic in the capital was momentarily suspended, similar to the disruptions during the storm on Monday. The spokesperson highlighted that the storm was particularly intense, despite being relatively brief. Around 30 trees fell onto the tracks in multiple locations, leading to eight collisions between trains and fallen trees or poles.
Despite the disruptions on certain regional train lines on Friday, officials aim to progressively lift these restrictions throughout the day, as well as in S-Bahn traffic. However, the S1 and S25 lines in northern Berlin may not reach full operational capacity until Saturday, as the tracks were severely damaged by the storm, and repair work continues at a rapid pace. The S1 line remains suspended between Schönholz and Birkenwerder, with a bus replacement service provided between Schönholz and Hohen Neuendorf, affecting those wishing to attend the Fusion music festival in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on Friday.
Emergency responders responded rapidly due to the severe weather warning, with Berlin's volunteer fire departments being put on standby and calling off-duty firefighters into service. The fire department was deployed with several hundred personnel to address the crisis and collaborated with the Technical Relief Agency for support.
The German Weather Service (DWD) issued another storm warning on Friday, this time predicting wind speeds of 60 kilometers per hour. Meanwhile, forest workers struggle to access the woods, as the extensive damage has presented challenges for clear pathways and assessing the full extent of the devastation, which is expected to become apparent in the coming days.
Insights:
German authorities and emergency services launched numerous critical actions to mitigate the severe storm damage in Berlin's forests:
- Access Restrictions: Due to extensive damage and safety hazards from thousands of uprooted trees, access to the Tegeler Forest and Spandauer Forest was temporarily restricted for public safety and cleanup operations.
- Emergency Response Operations: The Berlin Fire Department was stretched thin as they dealt with over 850 storm-related incidents, prioritizing tree-clearing and attending to storm injuries.
- Medical Assistance: Emergency responders attended to at least three individuals sustaining injuries during the storm, with some cases serious and requiring hospitalization.
- Transport Disruptions: Public transportation services, including the S-Bahn, were temporarily suspended due to fallen trees on tracks, causing disruptions particularly in the Tegel Forest region affected by the storm.
- Public Safety Measures: Berlin authorities put preventive measures in place to minimize further risks, including monitoring the forests and urban areas for hazards such as unstable trees and debris.
These coordinated efforts by the Berlin Department of Environment, Fire Department, and transportation authorities aimed to ensure the safety of the public, restore normalcy after the storm, and begin the cleanup process.
- The Berlin Department of Environment has reported significant damage to the Tegeler Forest and Spandauer Forest due to the recent storm, leading to their temporary closure to the public.
- The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued another storm warning, predicting wind speeds of 60 kilometers per hour, highlighting the need for continued vigilance.
- Science and environmental scientists are closely monitoring the impacts of climate-change on such extreme weather events, recognizing the role of human activities in these increasingly frequent and intense storms.
- Despite the challenges, environmental-science researchers are hopeful that this storm can serve as an opportunity to study the resilience of Berlin's forests and inform future management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate-change and storms.
