Storms sweep Lithuania, topple trees and cut power to thousands

Powerful storms were moving across Lithuania on Thursday evening, toppling trees and leaving more than 4,000 households without electricity, LRT reported.

The first storm cells reached Marijampolė and Alytus counties before moving through Marijampolė, Alytus and Kaunas counties. By 8:10 p.m., the main storm centres were moving across Alytus and Vilnius counties.

Forecasters warned that heavy rain, thunderstorms, squally winds and hail could affect a much larger part of the country. Wind gusts of 15 to 20 metres per second were expected, with gusts of up to 25 metres per second possible in some places. Tornadoes could also form in isolated areas.

Firefighters had received about 20 to 30 reports of trees falling onto roads, mainly in Druskininkai municipality and the Prienai, Lazdijai and Varėna districts, according to Saulius Raščevskis, a senior specialist at the Fire and Rescue Department’s Situation Coordination Division.

ESO, Lithuania’s electricity distribution operator, said more than 4,000 households in Kaunas, Marijampolė and Vilnius counties were without power.

Forecasters said the zone of intense rain would move east through Alytus and Vilnius counties in the coming hours. Short showers and thunderstorms were expected in many areas, with locally heavy rain, strong wind and hail.

Authorities warned that heavy rain could make driving conditions difficult and temporarily flood sections of roads or lower-lying areas. Strong winds could break weaker tree branches, while thunderstorms could disrupt electricity supplies.

Residents were advised to close windows and doors securely, fasten loose outdoor items and avoid parking cars near tall trees. During thunderstorms, people should stay away from open areas, bodies of water, trees, power lines and metal structures.