Storm rages in Germany, disturbing traffic

BERLIN, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The first storm of the year swept mostly through west and southwest Germany with great force on Wednesday.

Burglind -- called "Eleanor" in other European countries -- brought gale-force gusts of more than 120 km per hour and heavy rain, toppling over trees and blocking traffic, according to the DPA.

There are no reports of human injuries. However, rivers in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia rose to dangerous levels.

In the west and southwest of Germany, roads were blocked and the regional and long-distance railway traffic disturbed. Fire brigades were frequently dispatched for emergencies. Several zoos remained closed for fear of falling tree parts.

The German Weather Service (DWD) reported, on the Hornisgrinde mountain in the Black Forest, a wind speed of 159 km per hour was measured in the morning, calling it an "extreme hurricane".

According to the weather service, it will rain in the coming days, especially in the southwest. Enditem