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Tornado rips off roofs as storm batters west Germany

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Tornado rips off roofs as storm batters west Germany
A property damages by a tornado in Minden on Sunday evening. Photo: DPA

Five houses had to be evacuated in Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, after a tornado swept through the town on Sunday.

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Thirty-three people had to leave their homes in the town, after the storm ripped off roofs and toppled trees dangerously near to houses.

Police described the storm as a tornado, but a German Weather Service (DWD) spokeswoman said that "we are now investigating but can't yet say for certain" whether it was a true twister.

Several towns in the area were affected by the storm which brought torrential rain and hail in its path.

A property damaged by a tornado in Minden on Sunday evening. Photo: DPA

Roughly 70 kilometres south of Minden, the storm destroyed a wind turbine, tearing off two blades. The debris was blown up to 250 metres away.

Several roads in the area were also closed after several trees were blown across them. It was opened shortly after, as locals pitched in with chainsaws to cut through the fallen trunks.

Firefighters in Minden said that they were called out 86 times, while the police responded to 61 emergencies.

Only one person was injured in the hazardous weather. A disabled person in Port Westfalica was badly hurt after falling over a manhole cover which had been washed out by the rain.

 

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