Sturm Luise Paralyzes Rail Traffic and Closes Roller Coasters in Baden-Württemberg
Storm Luise swept across Baden-Württemberg on Saturday, bringing wind gusts up to 85 kilometers per hour that blocked rail lines, crashed a regional train into a tree branch, and forced Europa-Park to shut down its outdoor roller coasters. The German Weather Service (DWD) tracked the severe weather system as it disrupted travel networks across the region, causing temporary closures at the Karlsruhe central station and delaying hundreds of passengers near Pforzheim.
Karlsruhe Central Station Closure After Overhead Line Incident
At the Karlsruhe central station, a stray object flew into the overhead wire at platform 2 on Saturday afternoon, triggering a massive electrical arc that federal police described as a loud flash. The incident brought all train traffic into the station to a complete halt for roughly an hour before federal police cleared all tracks for regular operations by Saturday evening. Investigators have not yet identified the specific object that struck the wire, and police reported no injuries during the evacuation and inspection.
Fallen Branch Causes Regional Train Collision Near Pforzheim
Near Pforzheim, a regional train carrying hundreds of passengers on its way to Mühlacker struck a fallen tree branch that smashed into the driver’s windshield, as reported by local police. The impact forced the train to stop on the tracks in the Eutingen district of Pforzheim. Deutsche Bahn emergency managers deployed alongside the fire department, rescue services, and state and federal police to the scene, requiring the temporary closure of an adjacent road to clear access for response vehicles. Passengers waited inside the train for just over an hour before the service resumed its journey to Mühlacker. Meanwhile, Germany’s largest amusement park, Europa-Park in Rust, suspended operations on its large outdoor roller coasters due to the severe winds. Park management stated that temporary weather-related closures are standard operating procedure in the industry, though officials did not provide an exact schedule for when the rides would reopen.
Strong Winds Close Heidelberg Road Before Weekend Storms
In Heidelberg, strong winds knocked a tree directly onto an overhead utility line, forcing police to close a heavily traveled inbound road near the local railway station. A specialized tree-removal crew cut down the damaged timber during the afternoon to clear the route. The German Weather Service warns that rain and high winds will continue to impact Baden-Württemberg through the weekend, with powerful southwesterly winds persisting on Saturday. Forecasters predict strengthening gales and severe storm-force gusts on Sunday, particularly in mountainous areas, where the Feldberg peak could face hurricane-force winds.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Luise
Were there any injuries reported during the rail incidents?
Police confirmed that no injuries occurred during either the overhead wire disruption at the Karlsruhe central station or the regional train collision near Pforzheim.
How long was the railway halted in Karlsruhe?
Train traffic into the Karlsruhe central station was suspended for approximately one hour while federal police and safety experts inspected the damaged overhead line on platform 2.
When is the severe weather expected to peak?
The German Weather Service forecasts that the storm will peak on Sunday with strong and potentially stormy gusts in the mountains, including possible hurricane-force winds at the Feldberg summit.