Powerful storm sweeps across Baltic states, killing 2

By Xinhua Published: Aug 24, 2026 07:38 AM

This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2026 shows the aftermath of a powerful storm in Riga, Latvia. A powerful cyclone swept northward across the three Baltic states on Saturday, killing two as strong winds, torrential rain and thunderstorms ravaged Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Meteorological data showed Saturday's storm was the most destructive to hit Latvia since January 2005. (Photo by Edijs Palens/Xinhua)

A powerful cyclone swept northward across the three Baltic states on Saturday, killing two as strong winds, torrential rain and thunderstorms ravaged Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Meteorological data showed Saturday's storm was the most destructive to hit Latvia since January 2005.

Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service said one person was killed and two others injured when part of a building collapsed in Jelgava. By Saturday night, emergency services had received more than 1,000 calls related to wind damage.

Transport was also disrupted, with fallen trees blocking railway lines and halting some train services. RIX Riga Airport warned of flight delays and diversions.

In Lithuania, a man was killed by a falling tree in the Anyksciai district, while a woman was injured in a separate incident. Firefighters received more than 1,200 storm-related calls during the day.

In Estonia, heavy rain and strong winds continued into Sunday morning. 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.

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.