Devastating Storms Uproot Lithuanian Forests, Damaging 150,000 Cubic Meters of Timber

A powerful storm that swept through Lithuania over the weekend has left a trail of destruction in state forests, damaging an estimated 150,000 cubic meters of timber. The State Forest Enterprise (VMU) reported that the most significant damage is concentrated in the Dubrava, Kazlų Rūda, Biržai, and Panevėžys regional units.

Within areas of complete devastation, approximately 17,000 cubic meters of timber were affected across about 80 hectares. The volume of individual uprooted and broken trees exceeds 130,000 cubic meters. The VMU noted that the damage from Saturday's storm has already doubled the amount of wind-damaged trees recorded throughout all of 2025.

Cleanup efforts are underway, with VMU employees assessing the damage, removing hazardous consequences, and clearing blocked forest roads. Coniferous trees account for over 70,000 cubic meters of the total damaged timber. Specialists are prioritizing the removal of fallen and broken fir trees.

Authorities are cautioning residents and forest visitors to steer clear of heavily impacted areas. The risk of falling branches and unstable trees remains high. People are advised to check weather forecasts and avoid storm-ravaged parts of the forest, especially when wind speeds increase or other dangerous weather phenomena are present. The storm also caused widespread power outages, leaving over 268,000 residents without electricity at its peak.

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The storm that raged last Saturday caused damage in the forests managed by VMU, which has already more than doubled the amount of wind-damaged trees recorded throughout all of 2025.