Powerful thunderstorms swept across Lithuania on Thursday evening and overnight, bringing torrential rain, lightning, strong winds and hail that caused widespread damage, particularly in the southern Dzūkija region.
Firefighters responded to 49 calls to remove storm-felled trees, with more than half of the incidents, 25, reported in Alytus County, according to the Fire and Rescue Department. No injuries were reported.
Tree removal operations continued throughout the night, said Saulius Raščevskis, a senior specialist with the department’s Situation Coordination Division.
“In some cases, crews removed dozens of trees during a single deployment,” Raščevskis said. “One response in the Varėna district involved about 50 fallen trees, while another in the Lazdijai district required the removal of 25.”
Most trees blocked roads, disrupting traffic across several municipalities. Firefighters also responded after trees fell onto three vehicles, one building and power lines in four separate incidents. In the Šalčininkai district, a tree crashed onto the roof of a two-story apartment building. No one was injured in any of the incidents.
