Germany has begun a massive clear-up operation after a storm on Thursday killed at least eight people, damaged more than 200 train lines and caused an estimated€500 million worth of damage. A rail spokesman said company employees were inspecting routes by helicopter to identify routes requiring crews to clear branches and other debris. The storm moved in westward from the Netherlands where, on Thursday, police said three people were killed by falling trees or debris in separate incidents. Germany’s last bad storm was Kyril in 2007, which left a €3 billion trail of destruction. The fire brigade employee who assisted them through the birth showed up and was allowed to cut the umbilical cord.

Source: The Irish Times January 19, 2018 12:11 UTC