Germany, Poland and Czech Republic – Deaths and Damage Caused by Storm Herwart

Severe weather, including strong winds and storm surge, affected parts of central Europe over the weekend 27 to 29 October 2017. Dubbed “Herwart” the storm caused severe damage in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany.

Much of the damage caused by strong winds which reached as high as 176 km/h (109 mph) in some areas of Germany. Tree were uprooted and pubic transport severely disrupted. Scaffolding was ripped from a building in Berlin, causing some injuries. Some flooding was reported, mostly in Hamburg, northern Germany, where the Elbe River breached its banks, flooding some areas around the fish market.

At least 16 people were injured, 1 is missing and 7 have died. One of the deaths was the result of flooding near Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony, Germany. The victim drowned in a parked camper van that was inundated by flood water from the overflowing Jade Bight late on 28 October. The victim’s brother, also in the van at the time, was rescued by emergency services.

Elsewhere in Germany, 2 people were killed in a boat accident in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania. In Poland two people who were killed by falling trees in West Pomerania province and Opolskie province. In Czech Republic, 2 died as a result of wind damage in Trebic and Prague.

Storm Surge

According to a report (pdf) by Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), quoting figures from the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), storm surge reached 2.06 metres above normal in Büsum, 2.60 metres in Bremerhaven, and 3.34 metres in Hamburg St. Pauli.

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