Tornadoes rip across Germany injuring dozens
On average, around 300 tornadoes form every year across the European continent
Damage caused by tornadoes in Germany
On average, 300 tornadoes impact Europe every year. Three impacted central Germany on Friday.
PADERBORN, Germany – At least three tornadoes tore through the heart of Germany on Friday, injuring dozens and causing damage for miles.
The hardest-hit area appeared to be Paderborn, where authorities said at least 43 people were injured, and some were being treated for serious wounds.
Officials believe the tornadoes had winds greater than 73 mph and uprooted trees, damaged roofs and overturned vehicles.
"Paderborn is horrified. Paderborn is shocked. And Paderborn is more than deeply affected," Mayor Michael Dreier said in a statement. "An unspeakable tornado raged over Paderborn and severely destroyed parts of the city. It’s shocking when you see what can happen to a city in such a short amount of time."
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Image 1 of 5A destroyed car is seen in an industrial area in Paderborn, western Germany on May 21, 2022, the day after a storm caused major damage. - Almost 40 people were injured, several seriously, on May 20 in a "tornado" which hit the western German city of Paderborn, the police and fire brigade said. A police spokesman said the tornado also caused significant damage in the city in the North Rhine-Westphalia state, following abnormally high temperatures for the time of year. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 521 May 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn: Debris from buildings and tree remains lie along a road. A tornado caused massive damage in Paderborn and Lippstadt on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Image 3 of 521 May 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn: Residents carry green waste and tree residues to the roadside. A tornado caused massive damage in Paderborn and Lippstadt on Friday afternoon. Photo: Friso Gentsch/dpa (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 4 of 521 May 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn: Hendrik Wüst (CDU), Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia, looks at building debris during a visit to the town where a tornado caused massive damage on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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Image 5 of 521 May 2022, North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn: A pedestrian bridge is impassable. A tornado had caused massive damage in the city on Friday afternoon. (Photo by Friso Gentsch/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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The city said local hotels were offering rooms to storm victims whose homes and apartments were damaged during the severe weather.
The German Weather Service tracked the storm system that moved from France into Germany and issued alerts ahead of the storms.
The system also produced hail, heavy rain and damaging winds in several areas.
Severe weather reports of hail, heavy rain and tornadoes from a storm system that moved through Germany.
(German Weather Service)
Hail larger than golf-ball-sized was reported in parts of western Germany, where meteorologists warned damage to crops and windows was likely.
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The weather service reported the storms were responsible for at least one death.
A man in southwest Germany was reported to have been shocked by electricity when he entered his flooded basement and hit his head.
While storms are not a rarity in Europe, seeing significant outbreaks of severe weather is not common.
Tornadic events in Europe from 2000-2012.
(European Severe Storms Laboratory)
The European Severe Storms Laboratory estimates only 300 tornadoes form each year across the continent.
Because most of the region’s climate is considered to be temperate, moisture and temperature profiles tend not to be as conducive for severe weather as in vast areas of the United States.
The Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says around 1,300 tornadoes form each year in the U.S., making the country the leader in seeing these violent windstorms.