Latvia's grid operator raises alert level ahead of Saturday storm
Heavy, at times extreme rain and gusts up to 25–32 m/s are forecast to hit Latvia on Saturday, August 22, prompting grid operator "Sadales tīkls" to boost operational readiness and urge residents to take precautions.
Latvia is set to be hit on Saturday, August 22, by prolonged and in places extremely heavy rainfall, with wind gusts potentially reaching 25 to 32 meters per second. In response to the risk of power supply disruptions, grid operator "Sadales tīkls" has declared heightened operational readiness.
Preparing for possible damage
Strong wind and rain can snap trees and branches, cause flooding, and damage power lines. Several hundred electricians across the country are on standby to address faults, including overnight if necessary. Residents are advised to charge phones, computers and other essential devices in advance in case of power outages.
Staying safe around damaged lines
During the storm, people should stay away from downed power lines, lines with fallen trees or branches, as well as flooded transformer substations and utility poles. If water levels rise rapidly near a home, it is recommended to shut off the power supply in advance using safety switches — including before evacuating, if the switches can be reached safely. Dangerous situations should be reported to emergency services at 112 or to the utility's round-the-clock fault line at 8404.
What to do if power goes out
If there is no flood risk but power has gone out at home, it is worth first checking the safety switches, or "fuses" — sometimes simply flipping a tripped switch restores power. Information on registered faults can be tracked on the company's digital outage map, while new, unregistered faults can be reported through its online form.
Overhead lines most vulnerable
Uninsulated overhead lines, which make up about 35% of the company's network, are most at risk during storms. Although the company regularly clears vegetation along power line routes, trees growing outside these corridors can still cause damage. The company says it is gradually modernizing the grid by replacing overhead lines with underground cables or insulated wires, aiming to have nearly 80% of the network insulated by 2030.
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