Severe Storms Cause Widespread Damage in Baltic Nations

Severe Storms Batter the Baltic Nations

A tragic incident has occurred as a powerful storm swept through Lithuania and neighboring Latvia, resulting in the death of one person and leaving approximately 200,000 households without electricity. The violent winds and heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across the Baltic region overnight.

A 50-year-old woman tragically lost her life in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, when a tree fell on her during the storm, local authorities reported. Fire and rescue teams in both countries have been inundated with emergency calls, responding to numerous incidents involving fallen trees, damaged vehicles, and flooded roads and fields.

In Lithuania, officials have urged residents to limit travel to only the most urgent situations, as the storm continues to bring dangerously high winds and unprecedented rainfall throughout the country, which is home to 2.8 million people. Meteorologists noted that certain districts, including Šiauliai, Telšiai, and Šilalė, recorded a month’s worth of rain within just two days, on Sunday and Monday.

Weather experts have cautioned that the strong winds prevailing in Latvia are expected to further elevate water levels along the coast of the Gulf of Riga. This could lead to flooding along the Daugava River, which flows through the capital city, Riga.

Travel Disruptions: Cancelled Flights and Trains

Authorities in Riga announced early Monday that the central Dome Square has been temporarily closed due to safety concerns stemming from wind damage to a section of the roof of the historic Dome Cathedral.

In Vilnius, the intense winds brought down numerous large trees, obstructing roads and damaging vehicles and homes. As a result of the storm’s severity, several flights were either cancelled or diverted to alternative airports, as landing at both Vilnius and Kaunas—the country’s second-largest city—became impossible due to the adverse conditions. Additionally, travelers faced significant delays and cancellations on the rail network.

While the southern part of Estonia, the third Baltic state, experienced heavy rain and strong winds, it fortunately avoided major material damage.

Forecasts indicate that this severe storm is likely to persist in the region at least until Monday afternoon, prompting ongoing concerns for residents across the Baltic nations.