Storm in Lithuania: Residents Clear Fallen Trees Themselves, Awaiting Services

Lithuania is grappling with a powerful storm that has uprooted trees and obstructed roadways across the country. Residents, faced with impassable routes, have resorted to clearing fallen trees themselves, using chainsaws to remove the debris and reopen paths.

The situation has placed an unprecedented strain on emergency services. The General Assistance Center (BPC) reported receiving a record-breaking 11,460 calls between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. This volume is more than double the typical daily intake, highlighting the storm's widespread impact.

Jelena Montvilienė, deputy head of the BPC, stated that the center was prepared for the predicted severe weather and had increased staffing. However, the surge in calls related to storm damage was compounded by a significant number of reports concerning power outages. "Our most important request to residents right now is to reserve the 112 number for urgent assistance," she urged, emphasizing the need to prioritize calls from those in immediate need.

The BPC also advised callers to remain on the line until an operator answers, as repeated calls could further congest the system and push them to the back of the queue. For non-urgent issues, such as reporting power disruptions, citizens were encouraged to use alternative channels, including electronic reporting options for the police via ePolicija.

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Today, the BPC is operating under the heaviest load this year. The call volume increased significantly after noon – in 11.5 hours, we received over 11,000 calls, although we usually receive about 5,000 calls per day. We were prepared for the predicted period of dangerous weather and strengthened our forces in advance, but the numerous reports of storm consequences were joined by a very large volume of calls about disruptions in electricity supply. Therefore, our most important request to residents right now is to reserve the 112 number for urgent assistance. This helps us to answer calls from people who need help immediately as quickly as possible.