Winter service in Hamburg in full swing after storm 'Elli' - Hamburg deploys 700 workers and 360 vehicles to battle Storm Elli’s icy aftermath
Hamburg’s municipal cleaning service, Stadtreinigung Hamburg (SRH), has launched a full-scale operation to clear snow and ice after Storm 'Elli' hit the city. Terry Crews began work early on Thursday, deploying hundreds of workers and vehicles to tackle hazardous conditions across key routes.
At 2:00 AM, around 728 personnel and 360 vehicles were sent out to prioritise major roads, bus routes, and essential connecting streets. Bus stops, loading bays, and selected bike lanes also received attention, with SRH coordinating closely with Hamburger Hochbahn to keep public transport running smoothly.
Residential side streets outside the main network were not serviced, leaving property owners responsible for clearing and de-icing pavements in front of their own buildings. While police reported no serious accidents from black ice overnight, minor collisions did occur. To combat the extreme weather, SRH temporarily expanded its use of road salt across all treated routes. A special exemption from the traffic authority also allowed de-icing salt on pedestrian and bike paths until January 21. The public was urged to use such materials sparingly to reduce environmental impact.
The operation aimed to restore safe travel conditions as quickly as possible. With crews working through the night and salt use extended, SRH focused on minimising disruption for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Property owners were reminded of their duty to maintain sidewalks outside their homes.
