Trains are also canceled

Storm sweeps across the country: thousands of Styrians without electricity

The fire department will be called out in many parts of Styria today, Easter Monday.

(Bild: Thomas Zeiler)

A foehn storm in the Alps is the reason for a large number of failed transformer stations. According to Energie Steiermark, thousands of Styrians are affected. There have also been some interruptions to train services. The storm continues. 

As a result of the severe storm already forecast in parts of Styria, trees are being repeatedly blown down and damaging electricity pylons. As a result, there were already several power outages in the morning hours. Upper and western Styria were particularly affected. Especially in Ennstal, Ramsau, Deutschlandsberg, Großlobming, Bad Gams and Mürztal, some Styrians had to make do without electricity on Easter Monday.

"There were several isolated minor power outages this morning. Most of these have already been rectified. However, the storm is still continuing," said Urs Harnik, press spokesman for Energie Steiermark. 

At around 11.55 am, according to Harnik, there was another report from Kammern and Kalwang in the district of Leoben, in which around 3000 households and 70 transformer stations were affected by outages. In total, 170 transformer stations and 4000 households are currently affected by the disruptions caused by the storm. 

ÖBB line disruptions
Storm damage also led to several train cancellations and longer waiting times this morning. On the Judenburg-Thalheim-Pöls line, a tree landed in the overhead line and led to a temporary interruption of train services; the damage has since been repaired. Train services between Gaishorn and Wald am Schoberpass were also temporarily unavailable. The Steeg Gosau and Stainach-Irdning line was also affected by interruptions. Everything is now back to normal on these routes. However, a comprehensive rail replacement service had to be set up between Schladming station and Haus im Ennstal. "There will be a closure here until April 4th at 12:00 noon," says Herbert Hofer, press spokesman for ÖBB in Styria. 

The Styrian fire departments are in continuous operation today
The fire departments in many parts of Styria are also being called out due to storm damage on Easter Monday. "As of 2.30 pm today, there were already 230 deployments by 160 fire departments. Well over 1000 firefighters are in action," reports Thomas Meier, press spokesman for the provincial fire brigade association. Not only fallen trees, but also covered roofs and forest and meadow fires are keeping the fire departments on their toes.

Numerous fallen trees due to the violent storm in Styria

(Bild: Thomas Zeiler)

(Bild: Thomas Zeiler)

A forest fire is currently raging in Krampen in the district of Mürzzuschlag. The violent storm is making firefighting work more difficult and could lead to the fire spreading much faster, creating a delicate situation. 210 firefighters from eleven fire departments have been involved in the major operation for five hours. There is also an operation involving five fire departments on the Pogusch due to a forest fire. 

The gondolas on the Planai, Hochwurzen and Galsterberg are also affected and closed for the rest of the day due to the ongoing storm.