Europe News

Germany braces for major storm

Jan 18, 2007, 9:10 GMT

Berlin - A powerful storm with winds of up to 120 kilometres per hour reached the western part of Germany on Thursday, bringing predictions of flooding and uprooted trees. Ferry services linking the mainland with North Sea islands were cancelled and people were urged to remain indoors as the storm bore down on the coast from the southern part of the Atlantic. 'We expect the wind to reach 120 kph when the storm's cold front hits Germany in the evening,' said Stefan Kuelzer, a meteorologist with the German Weather Service. In some parts of the country, rainfall of up to 70 litres per square metre was reported as the emergency services mobilized some 40,000 workers to help in relief operations. 'The safest place to be is indoors,' said meteorologist Holger Starke of the Meteomedia weather service. Officials in Hamburg, northern Europe's biggest port, were bracing for tides 2.5 metres higher than those usual for this time of year. Similar high water levels were predicted for other North Sea coastal towns. Local authorities advised motorists to avoid parking their cars under trees or in low lying areas liable to flooding. Meteorologists said the storm, named Kyrill, was the most powerful to hit Germany in more than four years. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Germany braces for major storm

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