“Trees fall like matchsticks”: Rolls of snow roll across West Germany

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

A sudden, violent onset of winter took the German state of Hesse by surprise. There were significant disruptions and dangerous situations in road traffic in the Rheingau-Taunus district. A severe weather warning is in effect for heavy snowfall there.

The fire brigade called on the public not to get into their cars. Danger to life is expected. Road closures must be strictly adhered to and should not be casually avoided under any circumstances.

According to the fire department, numerous drivers were still trapped in their vehicles on Monday evening. About 100 people had to be rescued from their cars by the fire brigade near Eltville. In Bad Schwalbach, students at a school were snowed in.

Civil protection in action

District fire chief Michael Ehresmann told the German news agency: “The situation is extraordinary. Trees fall like matchsticks.” The emergency services were continuously present from 12:00. Additional troops, including civil protection, were alerted.

The onset of winter also caused problems at Frankfurt am Main Airport. Lufthansa’s flight operations were seriously disrupted by the blowing snow. There was also an IT failure. Delays may occur on Lufthansa flights to and from Frankfurt, and flight cancellations should also be expected, the company said on Monday evening. The airline initially did not provide further information about the extent of the airport chaos or the possible duration and cause of the IT failure. (no)

Source: Blick