Severe storm-induced road closure in Lünzen
In the quaint town of Schneverdingen, three farms situated along a road have become the centre of attention due to a recent storm event. The affected road leads to Lünzenbrockhof and can be accessed via Am Ehrenmal or the Dreyershofer Weg.
The storm's wrath left its mark on the town, with the roots of 100 to 120-year-old oaks causing substantial damage to the asphalted road. The old oaks, some of which are estimated to be 150 years old, have been a part of Schneverdingen's landscape for a long time, growing and surviving through the years before the storm event.
The tree crowns, reacting to the strong winds like wind sails, created energy that led to breakages. Remarkable are the partly twisted trees that have also broken off in different directions. The massive trunks of these ancient oaks have shattered, posing a potential threat to pedestrians and cyclists. There is a risk to life from splintered trunks and broken branches that could detach and fall.
The city of Schneverdingen was not prepared for such a storm event, and the damage is extraordinary, according to Matthias Reimers, the gardener and deputy head of the building yard. The L171 had to be cleared of trees to remove the immediate danger, and the road leading to Lünzenbrockhof will be closed for an estimated one to two weeks due to storm damage.
The emergency services were on site for seven hours to clear the fallen trees. The outbuilding on Lünzenbrockhof was hit by an oak tree, and a used hay tedder and an outbuilding with a newly covered roof were also damaged. Initial estimates by the city of Schneverdingen's building department indicate that more than 200 trees have fallen or been broken off.
Usually, it's conifers that are damaged in such storms, but in this case, many oaks were affected. The leaves of the trees may have provided more attack surface, causing the breakages. The Dreyershofer Weg also needs to be thoroughly inspected for safety reasons.
Despite the extensive damage, no injuries were reported during the storm. The resilience and strength of the town's residents and emergency services are commendable, and the community is working together to recover and rebuild.
