Latvia Severe Weather Leaves 191,000 Households Without Power After Strongest Summer Storm Since 1966

Latvia severe weather brought a powerful storm described as the strongest summer storm in Latvia since at least 1966 and the most destructive since January 2005 that struck the country on 23 August, causing widespread power outages affecting up to 277,000 households, blocking roads with fallen trees, disrupting transport, injuring 14 people and killing two across the Baltic states. [1] [2]

Storm Strength and Meteorological Records

The storm that struck on the night of 23 August was the strongest summer storm since at least 1966, when comprehensive records of wind gusts in Latvia began, according to information from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre. [1] The previous strongest summer storm in Latvia raged on 28 and 29 July 2024, when wind gusts reached storm force at eight meteorological observation stations, and severe storm force at two stations. [1] This time, wind gusts of at least 20.7 metres per second were recorded at 14 observation stations, whilst at eight locations the wind gusts reached severe storm force, i.e. at least 24.5 metres per second. [1] At the Daugavgrīva observation station, wind gusts reached as much as 31 metres per second. [4] The highest amount of precipitation within 24 hours was recorded at Kolka at 124 mm, while in other parts of Kurzeme and the central regions, 40-80 mm of rain fell. [4] Meteorological data showed Saturday's storm was the most destructive to hit Latvia since January 2005. [2] This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2026 shows the aftermath of a powerful storm in Riga, Latvia. [2]

Widespread Power Outages

At the height of the storm on Sunday morning, the electricity supply was disrupted for around 277,000 households, according to power distributor “Sadales tīkls”. [1] At around 16:30, some of the faults had been rectified and power supply was disrupted for around 191,000 customers. [1] The storm caused extensive damage to power networks across the three countries, disrupting power supplies for about 254,000 people in Latvia, while leaving about 256,000 people without power in Lithuania and more than 3,400 households in Estonia. [2] In connection with power supply outages, mobile communications are affected for some customers of mobile operators LMT and Tele2. [4] "Sadales tīkls" explained that the work of the crews is being affected by continuing dangerous weather conditions, with access to power lines made difficult by trees downed by the storm as well as areas flooded by the rain. [4] Residents are encouraged to keep track of the current situation on the electricity network via the digital outage map. [1]

Severe storm in Latvia fells trees and cuts power to 191000 households. — Source: vg

Casualties and Emergency Response

One person died in Jelgava when part of a building collapsed. [1] Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service said one person was killed and two others injured when part of a building collapsed in Jelgava. [2] According to the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD), medical staff provided assistance to a total of 14 victims, in some cases with serious injuries recorded. [1] A tragic accident was registered in Jelgava, where one person died. [4] By Saturday night, emergency services had received more than 1,000 calls related to wind damage. [2] By 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) had received more than 1,800 calls to the unified emergency call number 112 about damage caused by the storm. [4] The VUGD and also the National Armed Forces urged the public to stay at home on Sunday. [4] People are strongly advised not to go outside or travel unless it is absolutely necessary. [4]

Disruptions to Roads and Transport

Several dozen national roads are partially or completely blocked by fallen trees. [1] “Latvian State Roads” (LVC) is asking the public to report fallen trees and washouts, noting that several dozen national roads across all regions of the country are partially or completely blocked due to trees and branches that fell during the night’s storm. [1] The work of emergency services was significantly hampered in many places by broken trees and branches blocking roads, with several cases recorded when trees fell on vehicles, including trapping people in them. [4] Two NMPD emergency vehicles were also damaged due to the strong winds. [4] Fallen trees are also affecting public transport services in Rīga, and several routes are not being operated in full, according to “Rīgas satiksme”. [1] Transport was also disrupted, with fallen trees blocking railway lines and halting some train services. [2] Once the damage caused by the storm has been repaired, train services are set to be gradually restored in several directions, with up-to-date information on provisional timetables available on the “Vivi” website. [1] Riga Airport has returned to its normal operating schedule and all flights are running as scheduled, though flights may be delayed or diverted to alternative airports. [1] [4]

Storm damage from Latvia's strongest summer storm since 1966 leaves widespread power outages. — Source: lsmlatvia

Regional Impact Across Baltic States

The storm also affected Lithuania and Estonia, killing one person in Lithuania, injuring others, and causing power outages for 256,000 in Lithuania and over 3,400 households in Estonia. [2] In Lithuania, a man was killed by a falling tree in the Anyksciai district, while a woman was injured in a separate incident. [2] Firefighters received more than 1,200 storm-related calls during the day. [2] In Estonia, heavy rain and strong winds continued into Sunday morning. [2] The Estonian Environment Agency forecast 50-70 millimeters of rainfall over 24 hours, with up to 90 millimeters in some areas, while coastal wind gusts could reach 22 meters per second on Sunday as the storm moved northeast. [2] In Estland ble ferjetrafikken til øyene langs nordkysten sterkt berørt, mens tog fra nabolandene var forsinket. [3] Uværet brakte med seg regn og kraftig vind da det feide inn over de baltiske landene fra Østersjøen lørdag ettermiddag. [3]

Current Situation and Public Advice

A large storm which hit Latvia for much of Saturday continues on Sunday morning. [4] According to the forecasts of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre (LVĢMC), heavy rain and gusts of wind will continue in most of the country on Sunday. [4] During the day, the wind will gradually decrease, reaching gusts of 15–19 m/s, but in the morning on the eastern coast of the bay up to 20–23 m/s. [4] The strongest wind gusts were recorded mainly in the central regions. [4] Residents are invited to follow the current situation in the power grid on the digital outage map. [4] Current information can be found on the riga municipal transport company's website and on the passenger train "Vivi" website. [4] Current information on the airport's website indicates that all scheduled flights from Riga Airport on Sunday morning have departed or are scheduled to depart, while some incoming flights are delayed. [4] The State Fire and Rescue Service said: "We urge you to stay at home this Sunday and refrain from traveling unless absolutely necessary!" [4]

What to watch next: Heavy rain and gusts of wind will continue in most of the country on Sunday, with the wind gradually decreasing to gusts of 15–19 m/s while restoration efforts continue amid difficult conditions for crews.