Storm topples over 250 trees in Riga's parks and forests, cleanup expected to take a month

Following Saturday's severe storm, described as the most destructive since January 2005, Riga's parks and forests have sustained extensive damage. According to Ieva Geistere of municipal company "Rīgas meži," more than 250 trees have been felled or broken in the city's gardens, parks and green spaces so far. The hardest-hit areas include central city parks, Dzegužkalns and Pļavnieku birzs, with several protected old trees also affected — information on which will be passed to the Nature Conservation Agency.

The company notes the true scale of damage is likely larger, since parks still contain many broken branches and leaning or hanging trees whose root systems were loosened by strong wind and heavy rain. Some of this damage is not immediately visible, so the number of hazardous trees requiring removal is expected to keep rising.

Work continues across multiple sites

Extensive damage was also recorded at Mežaparks, where dozens of trees were broken or uprooted, some falling across main paths and the Great Bandstand area. Since a concert was held at the bandstand on Sunday, staff quickly cleared the most urgent hazards to ensure safe access for concertgoers, and cleanup work there continues today.

Of the four forest districts managed by "Rīgas meži," the Riga district has suffered the most damage, particularly in Mangaļsala, Buļļu sala, Vārnukrogs and Anniņmuižas forest park. Crews are clearing roads, restoring recreation areas and posting warning signs in unsafe locations. Other districts are also clearing main routes, while drones are being used to survey hard-to-reach forest areas.

The storm also affected Riga Zoo, which was closed to visitors on Sunday and Monday during cleanup. If work proceeds as planned, the zoo will reopen Tuesday.

"Rīgas meži" is also collecting reports from residents whose property was damaged by the company's trees or branches, with cases to be forwarded to insurers where necessary. The company, which manages roughly 63,000 hectares of forest, estimates full storm cleanup will take at least a month, with work in some areas potentially lasting longer.