Latvia hit by most powerful storm since January 2005
On Saturday evening, Latvia was struck by its most destructive storm since January 2005, leaving around 160,000 households without electricity as gusts reached up to 27 metres per second.
Latvia experienced what meteorologists are calling its most severe storm since January 2005 on Saturday evening, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Grid operator AS "Sadales tīkls" reported that approximately 160,000 households across the country were left without power as the storm swept through.
Storm moves from south to north
The regions hit hardest so far include Zemgale, Sēlija, Latgale and part of Kurzeme. The storm has since advanced further and reached Vidzeme as well. By 8 p.m., the strongest gusts recorded were 26 metres per second in Bauska, Saldus and Ventspils, while Rēzekne registered gusts of 27 metres per second.
Wind speeds have begun easing in the southwestern part of Kurzeme, though parts of Vidzeme are still expecting their strongest winds overnight. Forecasters had earlier predicted gusts of 25 to 30 metres per second across most of the country, with potentially even stronger winds along the Vidzeme coast. Comparatively calmer conditions were expected in southwestern Kurzeme and around Rūjiena.
Infrastructure damage expected
Meteorologists warned that the storm is likely to break and uproot numerous trees, which could block both roads and railway lines. The wind is also expected to tear down power lines, causing further electricity outages, along with other damage across the country.
