Storm in Waldeck-Frankenberg: District takes stock

The district of Waldeck-Frankenberg was also significantly affected by the storms with heavy thunderstorms, heavy rain, wind and hail. As of 7 a.m. on Friday, the control centre of the district has already documented 161 incidents to which the fire brigades had to respond. However, it can be assumed that there were considerably more calls, as many fire brigades were approached by other people on the spot and asked for help. So far, most of the documented incidents have involved fallen trees, landslides, damage caused by hailstorms, fallen roof tiles and flooded cellars. This morning, too, there have already been many more calls for help.

In Waldeck-Frankenberg, the storm hit the towns of Waldeck and Sachsenhausen particularly hard. In particular, there was damage to the roofs here. In Rehbach, a group of children was affected by a hailstorm. They suffered slight haematomas and were treated in a paediatrician's practice where they were able to warm up.

The district cannot confirm reports that a tornado has occurred in the town of Waldeck. As far as the district is aware, neither the local fire brigade in Waldeck nor the Waldeck-Frankenberg police department have any information about this. In the meantime, a unit of the fire brigade from Bad Arolsen has supported the fire brigades in the city of Kassel, which was also badly affected by the storms, with an equipment truck for flood situations. They returned this morning.

All in all, the district fire inspector Gerhard Biederbick from the district's rescue service, fire and disaster control department draws the following conclusion: "The storms have hit Waldeck-Frankenberg. However, in contrast to the Kassel region, we got off relatively lightly. The fire brigades in the affected towns and communities dealt with the large number of incidents very prudently - even if they took a little longer here and there due to the large number of incidents. In the end, everyone who needed help could be helped. Once again it has been shown how important the volunteers of the fire brigades are in every district.

Keywords:

Specialist rescue service, fire protection and disaster control