On Saturday evening, 22 August, Latvia was hit by its most destructive storm since January 2005, according to meteorological data.
According to electricity distribution operator Sadales tīkls, more than 100,000 households are currently without electricity.
So far, the storm has hit Zemgale, Sēlija and Latgale the hardest, as well as parts of Kurzeme. Moving in from the south, the storm has now reached Vidzeme.
The strongest wind gusts recorded in Latvia by 8 p.m. reached 26 metres per second in Bauska, Saldus and Ventspils and 27 metres per second in Rēzekne, according to data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
In Kurzeme, southwesterly winds are beginning to ease, while parts of Vidzeme are expected to experience the strongest winds only during the night.
As previously reported, wind gusts are expected to reach 25–30 metres per second across much of Latvia, with an even more powerful storm possible along the Vidzeme coast. Winds are expected to be less severe in southwestern Kurzeme and around Rūjiena.
The storm is expected to snap and uproot large numbers of trees, potentially blocking roads and railway lines and damaging power lines. Further widespread damage is also expected.
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