Tornado in Paderborn
Today is a gray day, with virtually no sun from early morning. In the early afternoon, after lunch, it also started to rain ( not that this is something unusual here! ).
At about 17:00 I decided to go back home. I was on foot, it was raining and I obviously didn't have the umbrella :(
Suddenly, around 17:10, while I was crossing the "Riemekepark" park, a very strong wind began to blow and along with the rain leaves began to fall.
The storm was so strong that I could hardly stand up. Suddenly some trees broke off and the branches and leaves started flying everywhere.
It was a unique feeling: I had never been in the center of what I believe was a tornado. The wind, combined with the heavy rain, made the whole atmosphere almost surreal.
The wind lasted about one or two minutes. I can't say it exactly. Thankfully I wasn't hit by heavy objects and came out of the storm unscathed.
Once the wind was over, the situation was dramatic. The tornado left a trail of devastation behind it.
Many trees have been uprooted and cut down.
The main road was no longer viable as it was blocked by felled trees.
Many cars were seriously damaged (fallen branches on the cars damaged the chassis). Many of the windows shattered.
The branches of the larger trees broke and flew away damaging everything.
There were debris everywhere.
The strong wind also caused damages to the houses.
Many tiles have fallen off the roofs and blown away.
This is how "Am Westerntor" looks like
and this is the Fountain in the same square
It seems like an apocalyptic scenario.
Back home, I immediately took off my clothes (which were soaked) and took a nice refreshing shower.
Now, as I write this article from my apartment, I hear the noise of the chainsaws in the main street obviously cutting down the felled trees. German efficiency!
I'm glad I survived the tornado unscathed :)
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