Storm Ylenie hit northern Germany, forcing some states to suspend education. The storm toppled trees, blew roofs of some houses, while flight and train services were cancelled. Local sources reported that the wind speed of up to 152 kilometers per hour recorded on the highest peak of the Harz Mountains. Authorities urged people to stay inside, avoid unstable buildings and power lines. Long-distance train services were cancelled which are expected to prevail until Saturday, Germany’s National Railway Operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) said. Passengers urged to check their flight status as German airline Lufthansa cancelled 20 flights, where some flights are also delayed.
The Berlin Fire Brigade declared a state of emergency in the country early in the morning due to the severe storm. A large number of volunteer firefighters were called in to support the Berlin Fire Brigade. The police and fire crews intervened in 400 incidents in the state of Schleswig Holstein alone.