Autumn storm sweeps through the north: Over 100 missions for the fire department!

Autumn storm sweeps through the north: Over 100 missions for the fire department!

Hardly anyone could have imagined what a dramatic start to autumn today, September 16, 2025. The first autumn storm of the season raged in northern Germany, resulting in numerous fire brigade operations and weather warnings. Loud sat1regional.de More than 100 missions were registered, especially in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein.

The effects of the storm were noticeable: trees were uprooted and construction signs flew through the air. In Hamburg, more precisely in the Barmbek-Süd district, height rescuers were needed to take care of loose facade parts on a high-rise building. In North Frisia, two trees fell on the road, which posed challenges for the emergency services.

Storm damage and traffic disruptions

The districts of the Duchy of Lauenburg, Ostholstein and Stormarn were particularly affected, where a total of 18 missions took place. Lübeck, Timmendorfer Strand and Ratzeburg each recorded three missions and one on Fehmarn. In Kiel as well as in Rendsburg-Eckernförde and Plön, a total of 30 operations were reported due to uprooted trees and flying construction site barriers. In Dithmarschen, Segeberg, Steinburg and Pinneberg the weather-related missions even totaled 55.

The storm also had an impact on rail traffic: the route to and from Westerland on Sylt had to be closed for about an hour because a tree was blocking the tracks. However, no major delays or disruptions in train traffic were initially identified. The ferries to Sylt were also affected: the catamaran “Halunder Jet” will remain on land until Wednesday, and the departure times of the car ferries between Römö and Sylt have been changed.

Weather warnings and forecasts

The German Weather Service issued a weather warning on Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 2:31 p.m. The storm is moving from the Oslofjord towards southern Sweden and is bringing stormy westerly winds and warm, cold sea air over Germany. Loud DWD Shower-like thunderstorms with gusts of up to 85 km/h are expected in the north, while severe gusts of 80 to 100 km/h can also occur in coastal regions. The storm is forecast to subside in the evening.

For the Dithmarschen region and central Schleswig-Holstein, heavy rainfall of between 25 and 50 liters per square meter can be expected in several hours. The Severe Weather Center has provided current warnings and a comprehensive overview of severe weather conditions to inform the population about impending dangers. Severe Weather Center offers important information around the clock so that citizens are always informed.

In addition, the water levels in the North Sea rose, with the water level in Hamburg being around 1.25 meters above normal high water, but remaining below the storm surge mark of 1.5 meters. These stormy autumn conditions are not uncommon, as meteorological observations show. The meteorological autumn started on September 1st and is apparently causing strong winds of up to force 11 on Hallig Hooge.

The storm is retreating, but the effects will still be felt until Wednesday evening, with gusts of up to 90 km/h expected on the North Sea coast.