German city coated in ice in freak summer hailstorm

Monday, August 7, 2023

Snow ploughs had to be deployed after a freak hailstorm hit the southwestern German city of Reutlingen, covering parts of the city with up to 30cm of ice in the middle of the summer.

A localised storm with hail and heavy rain swept over the area, and the city’s fire brigade was called out more than 120 times to assist, in many cases to free people trapped in their cars.

Ice and leaves blocked the city’s drains, leading to various basements and underground car parks to be flooded.

The Echaz River which runs through the city also briefly burst its banks, but this did not appear to cause any major damage.

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