"Such fear I've never experienced before!"
In the heart of Berlin, chaos reigned as a fierce storm barreled through the city on a fateful Thursday evening, with winds reaching a terrifying 110 km/h. The normally tranquil district of Hermsdorf in Reinickendorf was the storm's epicenter, where ancient trees were uprooted, thick branches smashed cars and garden furniture like wrecking balls.
The neighborhoods of Heiligensee, Konradshöhe, Tegelort, Frohnau, and Hermsdorf were also caught in the storm's wrath - the fire department was inundated with calls for assistance from panicked residents.
Gisela Gonschorek (83), a Hermsdorf lifer, admitted she'd never experienced fear until that night. From her balcony, she and her husband watched as the storm tore massive branches off the trees, the sound of snapping wood reverberating through the air. "It was like a warzone," Gisela reminisced.
A gigantic pine tree on the Gonschorek property broke in two, crashed onto a street sign, and landed across the street. In the aftermath, neighbors banded together to move the tree trunk to safety. "I've never felt such camaraderie in the 50 years I've lived here," Gisela proudly stated.
Hermsdorf's sidewalks were littered with fallen branches and tree trunks, while some cars suffered shattered windows or deep dents in their bodies. Horst-Dieter Krutz (81) stood outside his Hermsdorf home, shaking his head at the destruction. "My roof tiles were tossed about like leaves," he lamented, "A thick branch shattered my parasol." Despite the chaos, Horst-Dieter and his wife worked together to collect the branches from the streets. However, loose branches still clung to the massive pine tree on their property, threatening to come crashing down.
The large maple tree opposite their home had fallen onto the house at Hohenzollernstraße 10. Reiner Hünefeld (73), the resident, wasted no time in calling the fire department to handle the crisis. Quick-thinking neighbor Waltraud Riese (81) cordoned off the danger zones of the entrance and sidewalk with a red and white chain. "It's a shame to see such an ancient, sturdy tree reduced to rubble," she sighed. With heavy equipment, the fire department worked tirelessly to remove the tree.
The neighbor's oak tree leaned precariously, its roots lifting the street pavement. "The strong wind gusts of force eleven combined with the heavy rain attacked the trees like relentless water cannons," explained meteorologist Thomas Endrolat (63) from the German Weather Service. "At this time of year, they offer a wide-open target."
The Parks and Gardens department deployed around 50 personnel to clean up the tree damage. "It's still too early for a proper assessment, but there are already several reports of property damage," stated district mayor Emine Demirbüken-Wegner (CDU). "I urge everyone to be cautious and vigilant to prevent further injuries."
As a result of the storm damage, several cemeteries in the area, including Wittenau, Heiligensee, Hermsdorf, Frohnau, Lübars, and Hermsdorf II, were closed. The district has contracted a specialized company to clear the damage and facilitate burials in the following week.
Storm-related incidents can be reported via email to [email protected]. Due to the scarcity of detailed public information about the storm damage in Hermsdorf, it may be beneficial to check local Berlin news outlets, municipal websites, or social media channels for up-to-date reports on the affected areas and cleanup efforts.
- Amidst the chaos, residents in the neighborhoods of Heiligensee, Konradshöhe, Tegelort, Frohnau, and Hermsdorf sought weather-forecasting updates as they braced for more storms.
- Following the storm's wrath, the German Weather Service released a weather report, highlighting the strong wind gusts of force eleven and the heavy rain that had attacked the trees in Hermsdorf, contributing to the extensive damage.
