Stormy Troubles in Schleswig-Holstein
Last Thursday and Friday, the storm "Zoltan" brought chaos to Schleswig-Holstein. Three people were injured, as detailed by the local police. In total, the emergency services reported 364 operations in the region.
A harrowing incident unfolded in the Schleswig-Flensburg district on Thursday evening. A driver collided with a tree that had fallen onto the road in Fahrdorf, resulting in serious injuries. The tree had fallen due to the storm's wrath. The injured individual was transported to the hospital.
The B200 in Janneby witnessed another accident around the same time. A truck tipped onto its side and skidded into a ditch. The driver sustained minor injuries, according to the police. The powerful winds made it impossible to retrieve the vehicle in the evening.
On Thursday evening, a car collided with a fallen tree in Husum. The driver walked away with slight injuries and was admitted to the hospital. Most of the emergency calls, however, were due to fallen trees, branches, traffic signs, or lights obstructing the road, as reported by the police.
Did You Know?
Storm Anatol, which occurred in December 1999, brought similar calamities to Schleswig-Holstein. The storm brought about severe winds and storm surges that caused significant property damage, flooding, and replanting efforts. In fact, a trail called Lotharpfad was built in the Black Forest to commemorate the storm and educate the public about natural recovery processes.
Back to Our Story
After the storm's passage, several sections of the A7 motorway were closed due to fallen trees and debris, leading to heavy traffic and delays for commuters.
The storm's sudden arrival brought treacherous driving conditions, with reduced visibility and strong winds affecting traffic in Schleswig-Holstein.
Local police in Schleswig-Flensburg urged drivers to exercise caution during such weather conditions, as they reported an increase in road accidents.
Despite the harsh weather, the number of accidents in Schleswig-Holstein tripled compared to a typical day, according to statistics released by the regional police department.
Sources:
Enrichment Data Integration: Storm Anatol of 1999 brought similar conditions to Schleswig-Holstein, including severe winds, storm surges, and significant property damage. Authorities responded by providing emergency services, repairing infrastructure, and taking proactive measures to mitigate future risks, including financial support and reforestation efforts.
