Storm "Priska" damage cleanup in Riga to cost at least €1.3 million

Riga's municipal government reports that repairing damage caused by storm "Priska" to city property and infrastructure will cost a preliminary €1.3 million, a figure officials say could still increase as assessments continue.

The city has recorded 1,624 addresses where trees or branches broke during the storm, with about a third of these already cleared. Emergency services received more than 890 reports of damage to municipal property, mostly involving trees falling on buildings, vehicles and infrastructure.

Schools and municipal buildings

Damage was found at 124 educational institutions, requiring around 160 repair jobs costing over €412,000 — mainly roof, fence, wiring and facade damage. All hazardous damage was fixed by September 1, with remaining work continuing. About 500 trees were affected on school and kindergarten grounds, at a cost of roughly €175,000.

Trees, cemeteries and waterways

Damage in areas managed by the Housing and Environment Department reached about €377,000, mostly for tree removal. Around 600 trees fell in city cemeteries, about 60 addresses were affected in street plantings, and roughly 60 more trees fell into rivers and lakes. Eleven wooden boardwalk sections at Gulf of Riga beaches were irreparably damaged.

Forests, transport and other infrastructure

"Rīgas meži" estimates its own losses at over €173,000, with up to 15,000 cubic metres of timber damaged in city forests. District heating company "Rīgas siltums" reported losses exceeding €100,000, public transport operator "Rīgas satiksme" around €87,000 due to overhead line damage, and the Public Space and Mobility Department over €52,000. Losses were also recorded at Riga's digital agency, the water utility, and other municipal facilities.

Residents have already handed in more than 1,000 cubic metres of wood and branches at collection points set up by the city. Officials note that not all costs will qualify for state support funding.