Liepaja services prepare for storm as gusts reach 20 metres per second

Wind gusts in Liepaja reached 20 metres per second on Friday, but no significant damage or widespread power outages had been reported by evening, LSM reported. While residents took walks by the sea, emergency and municipal services prepared for possible problems overnight.

Some Liepaja residents said they were enjoying the strong wind. Valda said she had specifically driven to the breakwater and was not afraid, adding that her phone and power bank were charged and she had water. Elina said she and her family had bought food and planned to watch films at home under blankets. A resident of the town of Grobina said the wind there was not as strong.

Liepaja’s municipal administration was continuing its usual work but was ready to call in specialists if needed. Its representative, Aigars Stals, said the windy, rainy weather and temperature changes were not unusual for autumn in the city.

Emergency services said they had not recorded significant storm damage in Liepaja or South Kurzeme municipality. Agnese Finka, deputy head of the State Fire and Rescue Service’s Kurzeme regional division, said services were prepared and advised people to consider whether it was necessary to go out or safer to stay home. She also urged residents to charge their phones and power banks in case of temporary or longer power cuts.

Electricity distribution company Sadales tikls had 400 employees ready to respond to damage to the network, its board chairman Vigants Radzins said. By 7 p.m., power outages had been recorded at two locations in Liepaja and three in Kuldiga municipality.