Storms batter Central and Eastern Europe: Latvia, Poland and Catalonia report injuries, evacuations and damage

Story Timeline
8 days · 4 summary articles
Severe storms and heavy rainfall disrupted large parts of Central and Eastern Europe on Saturday, with Latvia, Poland, and Spain’s Catalonia region reporting significant damage, evacuations, and injuries.
In Latvia, a powerful summer cyclone crossed the country from the south, bringing heavy rain and destructive winds. The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre warned of prolonged and "extremely heavy" rain in central districts, with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall of 30-80 millimeters was forecast for Kurzeme, Zemgale, and Vidzeme, with the heaviest downpours expected in eastern Kurzeme, Zemgale, and western Vidzeme. Wind gusts of 20-27 meters per second were predicted across most of the country, with up to 32 meters per second on the Vidzeme coast, including Riga. Authorities warned of potential flooding in low-lying areas, uprooted trees, and damage to beach infrastructure .
Poland’s Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW) issued multiple warnings as a storm front moved through the country. By 8 a.m. Saturday, firefighters had responded to over 1,900 calls related to the storm, with the Mazovia region hardest hit. IMGW issued first-degree storm warnings for five southwestern provinces, including Lower Silesia and Opole, with expected rainfall up to 35 millimeters and wind gusts up to 85 km/h. Second-degree wind warnings covered Podlaskie, Masovian, Łódź, and Warmian-Masurian provinces, with average winds of 70-85 km/h and gusts up to 115 km/h. Additional first-degree wind warnings were in effect for Warmian-Masurian, Pomeranian, Świętokrzyskie, and Lubelskie provinces .
In Spain’s Catalonia region, torrential rain in Tarragona province left three people injured after a wall collapsed in Roda de Berà early Saturday. One person was in critical condition, another in serious condition, and a third sustained minor injuries, according to Catalan emergency services and the SEM medical branch. The downpour, which dumped up to 200 millimeters in some areas, forced the evacuation of a campsite in Creixell and a nightclub in El Vendrell, where about 100 people were relocated to a school. Flooding disrupted rail services on multiple Rodalies lines, including R2 Sud, R4, and R15, with service restored by 10 a.m. Saturday. Emergency services received over 700 calls, with 192 incidents reported overnight .
Latvia’s meteorological service also noted that a similar storm in July 2024 had prompted 1,500 emergency calls, though rain damage this time was expected to be less severe. The cyclone’s center was forecast to bring variable wind directions, with the most intense gusts expected Saturday evening into Sunday .
In Poland, the storm front had already caused widespread disruptions by Saturday morning, with fallen trees, damaged buildings, and localized flooding reported in multiple regions. Firefighters in Somogy and Baranya counties in Hungary also responded to storm-related incidents, including fallen trees blocking roads and lightning strikes .
Romania’s National Meteorology Administration issued orange and yellow heat warnings for most of the country, with temperatures expected to reach 37-38 degrees Celsius in some areas. Thunderstorms and high winds were also forecast for central and northeastern regions .
Follow us for live European news
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
3 further sources not geolocated




:format(jpg)/f.elconfidencial.com%2Foriginal%2F9e2%2F208%2Fa25%2F9e2208a252cf07337a1387f95d0b896d.jpg)



