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Powerful storm hits Lithuania, causing widespread damage and power outages
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Disasters & Emergencies

Powerful storm hits Lithuania, causing widespread damage and power outages

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A powerful storm, described as a whirlwind or tornado, struck parts of Lithuania, causing significant damage.
  • Residents reported trees falling, roofs being torn off houses, and cars being damaged.
  • The storm also caused widespread power outages for thousands of residents and damaged cemeteries.

A powerful storm, characterized by whirlwind-like conditions, swept through parts of Lithuania, leaving a trail of destruction. Residents in Kaunas and Kazlลณ Rลซda described experiencing a "tornado" that tore off roofs, downed trees, and damaged vehicles in a matter of minutes.

We immediately noticed through the windows that trees were falling to the ground, and we understood that some unprecedented squall was coming. But truly, no one thought or expected it to be so strong.

โ€” Tomas JaruseviฤiusA resident of Aleksotas in Kaunas describing the sudden onset and intensity of the storm.

Tomas Jaruseviฤius, a resident of Aleksotas in Kaunas, recounted witnessing trees falling and realizing an "unprecedented squall" was approaching. "We immediately noticed through the windows that trees were falling to the ground, and we understood that some unprecedented squall was coming. But truly, no one thought or expected it to be so strong," he said. Firefighters responded to at least 20 calls to clear fallen trees from roads.

It lasted a minute or two, that tornado, like Anatolijus in 2010. I saw it break pines there. It repeated, but this is, as I say, the second Birutฤ— tornado, because it was mostly here, I don't know if it traveled further.

โ€” Arvydas RutkauskasA local resident comparing the recent storm to a previous tornado event.

Local residents reported that the strongest gusts lasted only a few minutes but caused extensive damage. Arvydas Rutkauskas described the event as a "small whirlwind" that was unexpectedly powerful, with debris flying high into the air, including trampolines and gazebos. The storm left approximately 8,000 residents without electricity as power lines were damaged.

Trampolines, gazebos, and domes were flying very high in the sky.

โ€” Tomas JaruseviฤiusDescribing the airborne debris during the storm.

The storm also hit Seniava cemetery in Kaunas, causing trees to fall and break tombstones. "Being a few hundred meters from the cemetery, we found artificial flowers brought to our yard. They said the scene in the cemetery was truly apocalyptic," Jaruseviฤius added. Heavy rainfall accompanied the storm, with some areas receiving more than 60% of their monthly norm in less than a day. Nearly 4,700 lightning strikes were recorded across the country.

The trees were swaying normally, like they show in American movies.

โ€” Arvydas RutkauskasComparing the storm's intensity to scenes from movies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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