Unwelcome Winter Storm Causes Traffic Chaos and Christmas Market Disruptions
Zoltan, the winter storm that swiped through Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, left quite a mess before Christmas. Countless fallen trees resulted in numerous cleanup operations and transportation disruptions.
Though the storm warning for severe winds was withdrawn on a Friday afternoon, Northeastern regions still expected stormy weather. A glimmer of hope came in the form of the Rostock Christmas market reopening after the afternoon, allowing traders to sell their wares one last time this year. Unfortunately, the market had to close a day prior. The traditional Christmas carol singing at Rostock's Ostseestadion, scheduled for thousands of participants, was unfortunately called off.
Christian Pegel, the Interior Minister in Schwerin, thanked emergency services on behalf of the state. "Your dedication and commitment allow citizens to feel safe in such situations at any time of day and even in the lead-up to the festive season," Pegel said.
Buildings witnessed damages from fallen trees, roads were blocked in certain areas, and power cuts occurred. The Minister promised a detailed assessment of damages within the coming days.
Western Pomerania was hit the hardest; Zoltan reached a maximum wind speed of 125 kilometers per hour in this region, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). Amazingly, this wind speed is categorized as a hurricane (wind force 12) on the Beaufort scale. Measurements were recorded at Greifswalder Oie, Darßer Ort, and Cape Arkona on Rügen, with values of 119, 118, and 118 kilometers per hour, respectively.
Deutsche Bahn dealt with overhead cable damage from fallen trees, resulting in disrupted services on the RE5 line between Stralsund and Berlin. Additional disruptions were experienced on the route from Velgast to Barth due to storm damage, with bus services taking their place. Meanwhile, repairs were conducted in the greater Rostock area on the same day.
In Rostock, a streetcar sustained unfortunate damage due to overhead cable injury. The trolleys are consequently making their U-turn at Barnstorfer Wald until next Wednesday, while a substitute service has been arranged. The Rostock Zoo, along with the Stralsund Zoo, remained closed on Friday.
Three accidents were reported by the police in Vorpommern-Greifswald district due to fallen trees by midday on Friday. The first incident near Hinrichshagen resulted in a tree falling on a moving car's hood, while the second and third incidents involved cars unable to break near Bandelin and Dargelin due to fallen trees. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.
Traffic authorities advised empty trucks and caravans to traverse the lower Rügen dam instead of the Rügen bridge between Stralsund and Rügen, reducing potential damage and disruptions during the storm.
The districts of Vorpommern-Rügen, Vorpommern-Greifswald, Northwest Mecklenburg, and Rostock each reported 290, 170, and 130 storm-related incidents by Friday afternoon, respectively. Scandlines resumed ferry service between Rostock and Gedser in Denmark, which had been halted some time before, while ferries to Hiddensee and the Warnow ferry in Rostock remained shut down throughout Friday.
The German Weather Service foretold intense squalls for Saturday, affecting the coastal area west of Rostock up to Rügen. The wind is expected to decrease in the afternoon and evening, while many clouds with sporadic clearings and localized rain or snow showers would be present. Temperatures would hover at three to five degrees during the day.
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