Hesse braces for stronger storm Manja after Luise causes minor damage

Autumn storm Luise brought severe gusts to Hesse overnight, causing minor damage including an injured cyclist and fallen trees. A second, stronger storm named Manja is expected from Saturday evening with higher winds and heavy rain. Winds reached up to 97 km/h on the Wasserkuppe, with similar conditions on the Hoherodskopf and gusts of force 9 in Darmstadt and Frankfurt. Police reported dozens of small-scale incidents, including 22 fallen trees in North Hesse and a tree damaging a car in Offenbach. Storm Manja is forecast to bring gusts over 100 km/h in northern and central Hesse mountains. Meteorologists warned against forest walks due to weakened trees from summer drought, though a high-pressure system is expected to bring calmer weather next week.