Storm 'Elli' kept Schleswig-Holstein on edge with snow and wind on Friday, but caused less chaos than feared. Numerous trains were canceled, roads closed, and high water threatens the Baltic coast. Two Bundesliga matches were called off.
Storm 'Elli' hit northern Germany on Friday but stayed largely below forecasts in Schleswig-Holstein (SH). The 170-inhabitant village of Worth in the Duchy of Lauenburg district was temporarily isolated as access roads were snowed in. Many roads in the state, including on Fehmarn, were closed or barely passable due to snow drifts.
Deutsche Bahn suspended long-distance services in the north and halted the line between Lübeck and Hamburg from noon. Trains ran late or only to Ahrensburg, with regional disruptions lasting until Sunday. Scandlines reduced ferry services to Denmark, and several trips between Gedser and Rostock were canceled. Sea bridges in Scharbeutz, Haffkrug, and Heiligenhafen remained closed. At Hamburg Airport, up to 25 takeoffs and 22 landings were canceled.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection warned in the evening of high water along the entire Baltic coast of SH; in Lübeck, levels will rise to 1.10 to 1.20 meters above normal by Saturday noon. Affected areas should be avoided.
In sports, the weather led to cancellations: The Bundesliga matches FC St. Pauli vs. RB Leipzig and SV Werder Bremen vs. TSG Hoffenheim were called off. The DFL cited icing and snow drifts in the stadium area. Hoffenheim coach Christian Ilzer said: 'We are despite snow and storm absolutely ready.' Rescheduling dates are pending.
The weather remains unsettled: High water until Saturday afternoon, then cold with up to minus 11 degrees in the night to Sunday.