Stormy Zoltan Wreaks Havoc in Berlin and Brandenburg
Friday night saw a flurry of emergency calls due to Storm Zoltan, primarily in Brandenburg. The Lusatian fire department reported a staggering 150 call-outs since Thursday's start, with ten operations still ongoing. The districts of Havelland, Prignitz, Ostprignitz-Ruppin, and Potsdam recorded 74 call-outs, dealing with felled branches and trees. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, and the situation kept the authorities on their toes but remained non-dramatic.
In Berlin, the fire department was busy with 29 emergency calls since Thursday afternoon, mostly for minor weather-related issues.
The hungover travelers from Berlin and Brandenburg weren't so fortunate, as two days before Christmas, Storm Zoltan threw a wrench in their plans. The ICE train route between Berlin, Leipzig, and Erfurt heading towards Frankfurt experienced delays and occasional cancellations, thanks to the unruly weather conditions. Trains had to be rerouted from Erfurt to Frankfurt, causing a one-hour delay and some cancellations.
On the eve of the storm, Thursday evening brought a spate of calls to the fire department, especially in the southern parts of Brandenburg. The Brandenburg State Environmental Agency had issued a flood warning for the Prierow 2 gauge in Golßen, Dahme-Spreewald district, expecting a surge in water levels due to the heavy rains.
A fallen tree halted traffic on highway 111, leading to a temporary road closure at the Berlin-Brandenburg border around midnight on Friday. The fire department was promptly alerted and successfully cleared the debris, reopening the road.
The German Weather Service (DWD) advised residents in Berlin and Brandenburg to brace themselves for strong winds and gale-force winds on Friday. The threat of widespread squalls of 70-85 kilometers per hour and local heavy squalls of up to 95 kilometers per hour loomed over the region.
Relevant Insights:
- Storm Zoltan hasn't disrupted transportation or infrastructure in Berlin, Brandenburg, or surrounding areas beyond the reports stated.
- Stay updated on current news sources or weather updates to get the latest information on Storm Zoltan's impact in the region.
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