Hurricane Xaver blasts through Germany
Gale-force winds from Hurricane Xaver wreaked havoc across Germany with gusts up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph). Flights, trains, schools and Christmas markets were cancelled, or closed, as a precaution.
Northern Germany hit hard
With hurricane-force winds, Xaver rampaged across Germany with wind speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. The storm uprooted trees, tore off roofs and caused tide surges along the North Sea coast. As a precaution, many flights, trains and schools were closed or cancelled, and Christmas markets remained shuttered.
Preparing for the flood
Xaver is one of the worst storms to hit Germany in decades. With sandbags in front of houses and protection on windows and doors, the residents of northern Germany worked feverishly to ward off the worst.
Raging in Northern Europe
Before hitting the German coast, Xaver raced across Britain. In Scotland, a truck driver died after a gust of wind seized his vehicle and knocked it over. Winds in England were measured at more than 200 kilometers per hour. About 100,000 homes were left without electricity, and train service in the country has been completely shut down.
Planes grounded
Xaver brought traffic to a halt in many places. At the Hamburg airport in northern Germany, about 130 flights were cancelled. Many trains stayed in their depots and toppled trees blocked roads and rail links. School was cancelled in several regions, but children couldn't spend their free time outside. People were urged to stay indoors during the storm.
A reminder of 1962
Xaver has brought to mind memories of past gales, particularly in Hamburg. In 1962, more than 300 people died when a storm surge flooded the city. At that time, however, the city was quite different. Hamburg is now much better protected with dikes and other flood protection systems.