Violent storms in Germany lead to injuries, property damage

[senorpepr]

BREMERHAVEN, Germany (AFP) - Pounding rain and fierce winds whipped southern Germany, leading to flooding in parts of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg.

The storm "Hanne" brought gale-force winds of 169 km/hour (105 miles/hour) and swelled rivers throughout the region, weather services reported Wednesday.

On the Mosel near the western city of Trier, shipping was suspended overnight due to safety concerns.

The mayor of Baden-Baden warned of a "natural catastrophe". The regional meteorological service said rain was likely to continue Wednesday.

Meanwhile a tornado ripped through the northern town of Drochtersen late Tuesday, tearing off the roofs of seven houses in less than one minute. Police said no one was injured but that property damage had been widespread.

And in the port of Bremerhaven on the North Sea, a cruise ship in construction was tossed against the pier at a precarious slant, injuring three wharf workers, the fire department reported.

Fourteen people building the "Pride of America" ship had to scramble over ladders to safety. Rescue workers searched the water for possible missing workers.

"It looks a battlefield," a fire department spokesman said, adding it was too early to assess the damage.

The 300-meter-long (980-foot-long) cruise ship destined for US waters is a 300 million euro (380-million-dollar) project by Lloyd Werft and will have a capacity of 2,200 passengers.

[Rainband]

I have family in Badenhausen. Near Osterode Am Hartz..Hope they are ok