On Saturday, May 3, 2025, a severe thunderstorm swept through the Main-Kinzig-Kreis area in Hessen, Germany, bringing with it heavy rainfall, strong winds, and significant disruptions. The German Weather Service (DWD) had issued warnings for thunderstorms, hail, and gusty winds, prompting residents to prepare for the worst. Reports indicated that the storm caused damage across multiple districts, leading to injuries, power outages, and traffic disruptions due to fallen trees.
The storm hit Gelnhausen particularly hard. According to local reports, drivers on the A66 sought shelter under bridges as hail pelted down, making travel hazardous. The storm's impact was felt in Gelnhausen, where power outages occurred between 18:40 and 18:55, leaving many residents temporarily in the dark. The Gelnhausen-Mitte fire department responded to the situation at 18:44, deploying multiple vehicles to manage the aftermath.
Later in the evening, around 22:00, the Gelnhausen-Ost fire department reported that a high-voltage power line in Gelnhausen-Höchst had been damaged. This led to a ban on entering the area around Friedhof, Kasseler Chaussee, and Kaiserbaum, as authorities urged residents to avoid these locations for safety reasons. Firefighters also evacuated particularly vulnerable residents from the area.
In Bad Orb, emergency services were dispatched shortly after 19:00 to deal with an overturned tree on the K890 heading towards Villbach. Meanwhile, in Büdingen, residents reported flooding in the Wolf district around 18:30, with streets like 'Zur Wolfer Mühle' covered in mud and debris. Fortunately, no vehicles were reported to have been swept away, although the local fire department worked to clear the roads and restore access.
Frankfurt also faced the storm's wrath, with several trees uprooted and a lightning strike igniting a roof fire in the Nordend district. The Aschaffenburg district fire department reported a total of 15 weather-related incidents starting at 18:45, as the storm wreaked havoc across the region. In Kälberau, a tree fell onto the tracks of the Kahlgrundbahn, halting train traffic for about 45 minutes while crews cleared the obstruction.
The weather change was attributed to a cold front from Tief Henry, which displaced the warmer air masses that had settled over Hessen. In addition to thunderstorms, the storm brought heavy rain and strong gusts of wind, with the highest recorded rainfall of 37 liters per square meter in Waldeck-Alraft (Waldeck-Frankenberg). Other areas, such as Witzenhausen-Ziegenhagen, reported 29 liters per square meter, and Philippsthal and Fritzlar-Lohne recorded 28 and 25 liters, respectively.
As the storm progressed, traffic disruptions became widespread. On the A7 near Kassel, six individuals were injured in an accident involving three cars and a motorhome, with two suffering serious injuries. Similarly, the A49 in northern Hessen saw accidents with minor injuries reported, as some roads became submerged due to the heavy rain.
At the Thaifood Festival in Darmstadt, two people were injured by a tent that was blown away by the wind, while a third person suffered a shock, necessitating hospital treatment for all three. In Fulda, a fallen tree blocked the entrance to a hotel, temporarily trapping around 60 guests inside.
In addition to the physical damage, the storm also created hazardous conditions. The Hessian State Office for Nature Conservation, Environment, and Geology (HLNUG) warned of potential local flooding, advising residents to exercise caution. As the storm subsided, the last weather warnings were lifted around 19:30.
As for the aftermath, the weather forecast for Sunday, May 4, 2025, predicted mostly dry conditions, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 17 degrees Celsius. However, the cool air replaced the summer-like warmth that had characterized the previous days. The following week is expected to be mixed, with highs between 11 to 16 degrees Celsius and some sunshine peeking through the clouds.
As residents begin the recovery process, local authorities are assessing the damage and working to restore normalcy. The storm serves as a reminder of the power of nature and the importance of being prepared for sudden weather changes. The community's resilience will be tested in the coming days as they work together to overcome the challenges posed by this unexpected storm.
