According to local authorities, an estimated 80 percent of buildings in a town in southern Germany were damaged during a hailstorm on Saturday. This led officials to declare a state of emergency. The storm was part of a weather system that caused injuries and damage across the southern part of the country over the weekend, making it one of the most turbulent summers Europe has faced in years.
During the 15-minute storm in Bad Bayersoien, a small town of 1,300 people in Bavaria, hailstones as wide as three inches damaged cars, roofs, and windows. News reports indicate that video footage from Bad Bayersoien shows entire roofs destroyed by hail, with roof-mounted solar panels pierced and car windows smashed.
In response to the damage, local authorities ordered a state of emergency on Sunday morning to mobilize state resources for the town’s cleanup. Emergency roofing will be installed until the damage can be permanently repaired. Anton Speer, the district’s commissioner, stated that the operation is ongoing and there is still heavy work ahead.
In other parts of Bavaria, the storm caused injuries and damage as well. In Kissing, a town near Augsburg, 12 people were hurt when a gust of wind tore through a festival tent. Additionally, about 100 residents of a senior home in the town had to be relocated due to roof damage caused by the storm. The weather system also resulted in major flooding, a toppled crane, and uprooted trees in the region. The cost of the damage is yet to be assessed.
This summer, Europe has experienced floods, fires, and heavy rains, with authorities struggling to respond to the extreme weather. Southern Europe has been particularly affected by heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit and even reaching 104 degrees in some areas. Greece has faced the worst ever recorded wildfires due to tinder-like conditions and heat waves. Southern Germany remains on alert for heavy rainfall until Tuesday.
2023-08-27 16:15:43
Post from www.nytimes.com
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