Storms hit Croatia, parts under red weather alert

Varaždin and its surroundings in Croatia were battered by a severe storm on Sunday afternoon, featuring gale-force winds and hail the size of walnuts. The storm, which began around 4 p.m., also caused heavy rain and strong winds, according to N1 Zagreb.

Firefighters in Varaždin received about forty calls by 6 p.m. reporting flooded roads and basements. They worked on pumping out water and removing four trees that had fallen onto streets. Local media reported that parts of Međimurska County also experienced heavy rain, thunderstorms, and wind.

The storm damaged the roof of a primary school in Jakšić, in Požega-Slavonia County. Firefighters worked into the evening to cover the damaged roof with protective sheeting. The commander of the local fire department stated that the school lost part of its roof and that they were working to repair the damage, thankfully with no injuries reported.

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The school lost part of its roof, and we are now putting on the plastic sheeting.

The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service issued warnings for the Osijek, Zagreb, and Karlovac regions. Osijek was placed under a red alert, anticipating a sudden shift from southwesterly winds to strong and stormy northerly winds, with potential hurricane-force gusts exceeding 90 km/h. The service warned of risks to public safety from uprooted trees, broken branches, and flying debris, as well as potential damage to structures and disruptions to traffic and power supply.

Zagreb received an orange warning for possible localized thunderstorms with very strong winds and hail, along with heavy rainfall in short periods. Karlovac was issued a yellow warning for localized heavy showers with thunderstorms, mainly in the Kordun and Banovina areas, with a greater than 50% chance of thunder.

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The strongest wind gusts will be stronger than 90 km/h.