Storm 'Zeetje' hits German Baltic coast
The new year got off to a stormy start in parts of northern Germany with the storm "Zeetje" causing flooding in several cities. No casualties have been reported.
Wismar inundated
The city of Wismar in the northern Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state was one of the worst hit. The water level in the morning rose as much as 1.70 to 1.80 meters (up to 6 feet) above normal, flooding Wismar's historic city center.
Standstill
The storm surge also flooded Wismar's harbor, disrupting ferry and other transport services. Residents were asked to move their cars out of the endangered areas. The storm has since eased significantly.
Flooding in Lübeck
The storm also left several parts of the city of Lübeck in neighboring Schleswig-Holstein state inundated. The storm surge forced authorities to temporarily close the riverside roads in the city.
Busy New Year's Eve
The storm "Zeetje" kept emergency workers busy on New Year's Eve. There were reports of cars colliding with fallen trees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Three people were injured in the accidents.
Staying put
The storm caused fishermen in Greifswald in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to suspend their activities. Fishing vessels remained moored at the harbor.