Storms knock down trees and cut power to thousands in Lithuania

Powerful thunderstorms are moving across Lithuania, bringing heavy rain, hail and strong winds that have felled trees and left more than 4,000 households without electricity, LRT reported, citing ELTA.

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 areas were passing through Alytus and Vilnius counties.

The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service warned that the zone of heavy rain would continue moving east through Alytus and Vilnius counties. Short thunderstorms are expected in many areas, with heavy rain in some places, wind gusts of 15 to 20 metres per second and hail.

Forecasters also warned that tornadoes could form in some areas.

Firefighters had received around 20 to 30 reports of trees falling onto roads, mainly in the Druskininkai municipality and the Prienai, Lazdijai and Varėna districts. “We are monitoring the situation and sending teams,” Saulius Raščevskis, a senior specialist at the Fire and Rescue Department’s Situation Coordination Division, told ELTA.

ESO said more than 4,000 households in Kaunas, Marijampolė and Vilnius counties were without electricity.

Heavy rain may make driving conditions difficult and cause temporary flooding on sections of roads or in lower-lying areas. Strong winds may break thinner and weaker tree branches, while thunderstorms may disrupt electricity supplies.

Residents are advised to close windows and doors tightly, secure loose objects outdoors 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.

Residents were also warned about the expected storm through alerts sent to mobile phones before midday. People shared images of the heavy rain and strong winds on social media.