3 images displayed, 5 images in the gallery
The storm that started on Friday night slowed down the turds on Saturday, but it didn’t quite calm down. The Environment Agency promises that the storm will continue on Sunday.
The storm caused quite a bit of trouble in Läänemaa, breaking several roofs. In Pürks, the storm took the roof off the apartment building, and the apartment association asked for help to collect the pieces of the roof.
The night storm had created a hole in the roof of the Läänemaa hospital, on Saturday evening the roof sheet fluttered on another house on Vaba street, and the storm had blown part of the roof from a wooden house on Posti street to the street. There were other blown roofs in Haapsalu.
The storm also broke a large number of trees. A strong wind felled four long pine trees on Kastani Street in Haapsalu.
Between Friday night and Saturday, the TarkTee application showed that trees had fallen on the roads in Western Estonia. The Nõva rescue team announced in their Facebook post that they were able to remove trees from the roads at least 15 times during the night, and in some cases trees had to be removed from the road to reach the scene. The people of Nõva were on duty with two cars.
Several areas in Läänemaa were also without electricity. Even on Saturday afternoon, the electricity was out in Pank village, Espres and elsewhere.
The alarm center across Estonia received nearly 430 reports of damage caused by the storm during the last 24 hours, most of which concerned trees that had fallen on the roads. At least 12 cases were also recorded where vehicles either ran into a tree that had fallen on the road or trees had fallen on cars. Although reports of storm damage continue to be received, the number of calls to 911 has not increased significantly at this time.
In preparation for the storm, the alarm center raised its readiness, calling in rescue operators who respond to 112 emergency calls, as well as 1247 operators who serve the state information phone.
Emergency center crisis manager Janek Murakas stated that the most difficult time was just before midnight, when the number of calls received by the emergency number increased by two-thirds compared to usual. “Even though we had planned extra resources to work, there could still be situations where callers to 112 had to wait before receiving an answer. The load on the state information phone number 1247, which transmits road information, among other things, also increased,” Murakas said.
Since the strong wind will persist on Saturday as well, today the Emergency Center is also on higher alert than usual. “It is important not to hang up when calling 112 – wait on the line for your call to be answered, as hanging up and calling again will move you to the end of the queue. If a tree has fallen on the road, which does not close the road completely and is visible to road users, report it to the state information on 1247,” Murakas added.
In order to be better prepared for the storm, see the behavioral guidelines at olevalmis.ee and also keep an eye on the weather forecast of the Environmental Agency at ilmatuveus.ee. For safer traffic, follow the website Tarktee.ee.
2024-11-02 15:53:00
#storm #tore #roofs #downed #trees #knocked #power
**Interview with Dr. Martin Karu, Meteorologist at the Estonian Environment Agency**
**Editor:** Welcome, Dr. Karu. Thanks for joining us today to discuss the severe storm that’s impacting Läänemaa and other parts of Estonia.
**Dr. Karu:** Thank you for having me. It’s definitely been a challenging time for many in our region.
**Editor:** Can you give us a brief overview of the storm? What can residents expect in the coming days?
**Dr. Karu:** Certainly. This storm has intensified since Friday night, creating very dangerous conditions. It’s classified as a Level 3 warning, which indicates a significant risk to life and health. We anticipate that the storm will continue into Sunday, with strong winds and potential for further damage.
**Editor:** We’ve already seen reports of roofs being damaged and trees falling. What measures should residents take to keep themselves safe?
**Dr. Karu:** First and foremost, we advise everyone to stay indoors and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. If you’re in an affected area, secure any loose items outside that could become dangerous projectiles. Also, keep informed through our channels for updates, and heed local authorities’ advice.
**Editor:** The reports indicated that the storm has downed many trees and caused power outages. How are local rescue teams responding to these emergencies?
**Dr. Karu:** Local rescue teams are doing an incredible job. We’ve seen them respond quickly, as evidenced by the Nõva rescue team’s multiple operations to clear fallen trees. Their efforts are critical in ensuring access for emergency services. However, it’s important to remember that safety is paramount, and residents should report any hazards rather than attempting to remove them themselves.
**Editor:** What has been the public’s response so far? Are they following safety recommendations?
**Dr. Karu:** We’ve received numerous reports from the public, showing that awareness is high. Many residents are taking the warning seriously and staying informed. However, we urge everyone to continue paying attention to updates, as conditions can change rapidly.
**Editor:** Before we let you go, is there anything else you’d like to share with our viewers regarding this storm?
**Dr. Karu:** Just to reiterate, safety is the top priority. Ensure you have supplies in case of prolonged power outages, stay away from the roads if possible, and be cautious of any updates from the Estonian Environment Agency. We’re here to provide the latest information, so please keep tuning in.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Karu, for your insights. It’s always important to stay informed during severe weather events.
**Dr. Karu:** Thank you for having me. Stay safe, everyone!
