CANTON BASEL (SWITZERLAND): The heavy snow on November 21, 2024 put a lot of pressure on the emergency services in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Rush hour traffic was particularly badly affected, and the police, fire brigade and medical services were called upon late into the evening to deal with traffic problems and ensure the safety of the public.
The amount of snow caused major traffic delays during rush hour on the canton’s roads. The A2 motorway was particularly affected: the entrance to Wolf was blocked by several trucks unable to move forward due to the slippery road surface. Only after NSNW AG cleaned and greased the road could the vehicles continue their journey. The City exit was also affected after an unknown driver parked his rental vehicle on the side of the road with his hazard lights on. This had to be pulled away. There were several accidents in the city that caused damage to sheet metal, but none of these caused any injuries.
The professional fire brigade from Basel-Stadt Rescue went out on a total of 20 missions during the day and evening. In 18 cases there were fallen trees or broken branches that were blocking roads or posing a danger. In another case, a bioethanol stove was incorrectly reported in the St. Johanns like a fire that had broken out. The false alarm was quickly resolved. On Friedensgasse, a chimney collapsed onto the street due to the weight of the snow; luckily, no one was hurt. Due to the snow covered roads and the traffic chaos, the medical and fire brigade had great difficulties to reach the places quickly.
The emergency response agencies make a positive decision about the cooperation of the emergency services involved and would like to thank the public for their patience and understanding in this extraordinary weather situation.
Updated Friday, November 22, 2024, 9 am
Even after 10pm, the emergency services had to go on several missions because of the snow that was going on. The emergency services looked back on a busy night and were still on duty at the time announced. In addition to the 18 cases of fallen trees or broken branches, there were another 30 in the canton of Basel-Stadt. The Basel-Stadt Rescue professional fire department was supported during the night by the fire department of the Basel-Stadt militia. The companies Riehen-Bettingen and Stadt were deployed. Due to the extraordinary road conditions, the militia fire brigade spent the night at Riehen-Bettingen station. This is to ensure quick intervention in the event of a fire.
In addition to the snow-related operations by the blue light crews, there were two house fires, four search operations following the activation of fire alarm systems, a rescue of people using a turntable ladder due to a medical emergency, one technical aid and one animal. rescue
2024-11-23 17:21:00
#Switzerland #Snowfall #pushed #traffic #emergency #services #limits #canton #Basel
**What specific challenges did Basel-Stadt residents face due to the heavy snowfall, and what community support networks emerged to address these challenges?**
## Heavy Snowfall in Basel: An Interview
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. We’re covering the aftermath of the heavy snowfall that impacted the canton of Basel-Stadt on November 21st, 2024. To help us understand the situation, we have two guests with us today: (Guest 1 Name), a representative from Basel-Stadt Rescue, and (Guest 2 Name), a local resident who experienced the snowfall firsthand.
**Section 1: Impact on Traffic and Infrastructure**
* **Host:** (Guest 1), the article mentions significant traffic disruptions, particularly on the A2 motorway. Can you elaborate on the specific challenges faced by emergency services in reaching calls during rush hour due to the snow?
* **Host:** (Guest 2), what was it like navigating the roads during the snowfall? Did you encounter any dangerous situations? How did the community respond to the conditions?
* **Host:** (Guest 1), the article also mentions fallen trees and branches causing road closures. What measures were taken to clear these roads and ensure public safety?
**Section 2: Emergency Services Response & Collaboration**
* **Host:** (Guest 1) The article highlights the extensive response from the Basel-Stadt Rescue. Can you describe the coordination efforts between different emergency services like the police, fire brigade, and medical teams?
* **Host:** (Guest 2), how visible was the presence of emergency personnel in your community? Did you feel reassured by their presence?
* **Host:** (Guest 1), the article mentions the militia fire brigade being deployed overnight. How did this collaboration contribute to the overall effectiveness of the emergency response?
**Section 3: Lessons Learned & Future Preparedness**
* **Host:** (Guest 1), looking back on the event, are there any lessons learned that could improve the city’s preparedness for future extreme weather events?
* **Host:** (Guest 2), based on your experience, what recommendations would you offer to residents in terms of preparing for similar snowfalls in the future?
* **Host:** (Guest 1), how can residents best support the efforts of emergency services during severe weather events?
**Conclusion**
The heavy snowfall in Basel highlighted the importance of a coordinated and responsive emergency network. We thank (Guest 1) and (Guest 2) for their insights into this challenging situation and their contributions to keeping the canton safe.
**Additional Tips:**
* Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions based on your guests’ responses.
* Encourage a dialogue between your guests.
* Allow space for personal stories and emotional experiences.
* Conclude with a call to action, encouraging viewers to be prepared for future extreme weather events.
