"Hendrik II.": The storm is slowly subsiding

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In Berlin, a tree fell onto a parked car as a result of storm Ignatz

Photo: Thomas Bartilla / imago images / Future Image

After the autumn storm "Hendrik II" had ravaged large parts of Germany on Thursday, the situation gradually eased. Nevertheless, one day later it should still be felt in many regions of Germany. For Friday, the German Weather Service (DWD) forecast gusts or gusts of wind again in the north and center of Germany, as well as individual thunderstorms during the day.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, Deutsche Bahn temporarily suspended long-distance traffic on Thursday.

According to Deutsche Bahn, there are still occasional delays and train cancellations on some routes.

The rail traffic started well in the morning, said a spokesman on Friday.

In local transport, connections in Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg and Saarland are particularly affected by restrictions.

The railway switched a free special hotline for passengers on 08000 996633.

According to the DWD, on Thursday the storm field covered the entire federal territory.

Strong wind and hurricane-like gusts caused trees to topple over, they toppled over on rails and roads, where there were corresponding obstructions to traffic.

Police and fire brigades moved out on hundreds of missions.

Injured by falling trees

In several federal states people were injured - for example when trees or branches fell on cars. In Hesse, for example, a tree fell on a moving car on a country road, and the 58-year-old driver was seriously injured. In Thuringia, a branch caught the car of a driver who then also had to go to the hospital. A cyclist in Saxony-Anhalt was injured by a falling tree. A 17-year-old motorcyclist in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was also injured. Several people were trapped in their cars by fallen trees.

The autumn storm raged particularly hard in the Harz Mountains.

According to DWD measurements, wind speeds of around 150 kilometers per hour were achieved on the Brocken.

In many cities, zoos and other facilities have been closed, partly because of the old and tall trees.

Parks and gardens were also closed in some places for security reasons, in Cologne part of the cathedral forecourt.

In Hamburg, a storm surge flooded the fish market in the St. Pauli district.

A spokeswoman for the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) said the apex was reached early Thursday evening at 1.72 meters above the mean flood.

Numerous onlookers wanted to see it.

The BSH warned that further storm surges on Friday could not be ruled out.

Significantly higher water levels are expected for the morning floods.

Another storm surge with around 1.5 meters above the mean flood is expected for Hamburg in the morning.

It will look similar in North Frisia.

Floods can also be expected later on Friday afternoon.

kim / dpa