Storm damage after storm front: clean-up work underway

Following the passage of a heavy thunderstorm and storm front late on Wednesday afternoon, 2 July 2025, emergency services from the Bocholt waste disposal and service company (ESB) worked closely with the fire brigade until well into the night. The focus was on repairing storm damage, particularly to public green spaces, trees and traffic areas. Work is continuing at full speed today.

In light of a storm warning issued by the German Weather Service, colleagues from the green department were asked to be on standby in addition to their regular duties as a precautionary measure. After the arrival of the storm front, the ESB was alerted by the fire brigade in the late afternoon. The incident command team at the station then took over the prioritisation of the incoming damage reports. Three ESB crews totalling around 15 people, three excavators and a cherry picker were deployed to clear the damage, supported by external contractors.

"The storm hit Bocholt hard, so I am all the more grateful that there were no injuries", says Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff. He emphasises the commitment of the city's employees and volunteers. "Such events show how important it is for our municipal forces to work together reliably. I would like to thank the fire brigade, ESB, public order office and also the technical relief organisation for their efforts", said Kerkhoff.

The last deployment for the waste disposal company ended at around midnight in the Wesemannstraße area, where a damaged tree in the vicinity of a kindergarten posed an acute hazard. In addition to numerous operations to remove green debris, the municipal drainage services were also deployed. Although all pumping stations worked without failures, the large amount of precipitation caused backups in the sewer network.

Numerous public green spaces and cycle paths were particularly affected, including the cycle path along the Bocholter Aa (from the sunken bridge to the city centre), Humboldtplatz, Langenbergpark, the Lönsstadion, the IVM school on Münsterstraße, the city forest and the stadium on Hünting. The first areas have already been reopened following checks. Fortunately, no major damage was found at the stadium itself, so that nothing stands in the way of the planned match at the weekend.

On Thursday morning (3 July 2025), the ESB had received 78 new reports from the public. These are being prioritised and processed on an ongoing basis. At the same time, the inspection and securing of previously unreported damaged areas as well as cleaning and repair work on public paths, such as root plates that have been pushed up, is taking place. A complete balance sheet, in particular on the number of damaged or felled trees, can only be compiled afterwards.

Yesterday's storm event exacerbated the already tense situation of Bocholt's tree population. Despite regular maintenance, there are once again numerous broken branches and damaged crown areas in the tree heights, the removal of which will continue in the coming days. The city of Bocholt asks the population to pay increased attention and recommends avoiding forest areas for the time being.