Latvia hit by strongest summer storm since at least 1966

Latvia was hit by its strongest summer storm since at least 1966, LSM reported, disrupting electricity supplies and mobile communications across the country and blocking roads with fallen trees.

At the height of the storm, around 280,000 customers were without electricity. Some shops and petrol stations were closed, while water supplies and traffic lights were also affected in some places.

One person was killed in Jelgava when part of an unoccupied construction collapsed. Fourteen people required assistance from emergency medical personnel, and two firefighters were injured while clearing the storm damage.

The storm struck overnight into August 23. The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre said it was the strongest summer storm since at least 1966, when comprehensive observations of wind gusts in Latvia began.