Offenbach/Friedrichsdorf (dpa/lhe) – Trees can fall, roof tiles can fall: Heavy storms are approaching in Hesse. The German Weather Service (DWD) warns of strong gusts from Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon. The meteorologists called for windows and doors to be closed, outdoor objects to be secured and buildings, trees, scaffolding and high-voltage lines to be kept at a distance. In general, you should avoid spending time outdoors, explained the DWD in Offenbach. Severe weather warnings were in effect for much of Hesse on Wednesday afternoon.
The DWD therefore expects hurricane-like gusts at speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour, sometimes also hurricane gusts of up to 120 kilometers per hour. The meteorologists assume two wind maxima, once in the second half of the night on Thursday and on Thursday morning. Thunderstorms are also possible according to the forecast. The wind will initially drop on Thursday afternoon.
In places it is also raining heavily, in the Rhön up to 40 liters per square meter are possible. Due to the predicted precipitation and the thaw, the Gießen regional council expected rising water levels in rivers and streams in the Lahn catchment area. For its part, the upper forest authority of the regional council advised avoiding forests and parks, but also exposed individual trees where possible. Trees also lost their footing in the already wet ground.
For its part, the Hessian forest owners’ association warned against entering the forest. The association in Friedrichsdorf announced on Wednesday that numerous trees would break off or be uprooted. Even in the days after the storms, it remains dangerous in the forest, as dead branches or entire trees could still fall down.
The temperatures remain mild at up to 15 degrees, as the DWD predicted. In the mountains it is cooler at five to nine degrees. The DWD predicted another strong wind for Friday afternoon, and hurricane gusts in the mountains could also be there again.
The city of Frankfurt had already warned its citizens not to stay near trees, i.e. in the city forest, in parks and in cemeteries. The palm garden and the zoo will remain closed on Thursday due to the storm warning. Offenbach announced that cemeteries would be closed from Wednesday afternoon. The Kassel museum landscape called for people to avoid the parks in the coming days. The state capital Wiesbaden also issued a corresponding warning.
The North Hessian Transport Association (NVV) warned passengers as a precaution against failures in bus and train traffic. The Regiotram line 4 between Kassel and Wolfshagen will be discontinued on Wednesday at 10 p.m. until further notice. The same applies to connections of the Kurhessenbahn between Kassel and Korbach, Kassel and Treysa, Kassel and Bad Wildungen as well as Marburg and Brilon until Thursday noon.
The Ministry of Education made it clear that the parents of underage children should decide whether to take part in face-to-face classes in schools. If the safety of the way to school is no longer guaranteed, the ministry will support all school management in their decision to cancel on-site operations. The district of Groß-Gerau went one step further because of the storm warning. All schools in the district will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Distance classes are offered and emergency care is guaranteed.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220216-99-152258/5
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