Overview

• An extreme downpour hit Norderstedt at about 17:00 on July 18, transforming Garstedt and Glashütte into flood zones.
• Floodwaters inundated basements, underground garages, elevator shafts and covered shopping arcades within minutes.
• Officials declared a citywide state of emergency shortly after the storm began to centralize command and prioritize rescues.
• Some 200 professional and volunteer firefighters and public works staff have been engaged in continuous, minute-by-minute operations.
• Officials have not confirmed the total number of operations, and rescue efforts stretched into the evening to handle ongoing emergency calls.