Severe Storms Across Poland: Over 1,500 Fire Service Interventions Reported

Violent storms swept through Poland on Sunday, triggering over 1,500 emergency responses by the State Fire Service, with significant damage reported to infrastructure and transport across multiple regions.

Emergency Services on High Alert

The State Fire Service reported that as of 8:00 PM, over 1,500 emergency calls had been logged due to the storm front. The highest volume of interventions occurred in the Małopolskie (620), Śląskie (370), and Lubelskie (227) voivodeships.

In Targanice, a tree fell onto a horse-drawn carriage carrying twelve people, resulting in five adults requiring medical attention; their lives are not in danger. In Bielsko-Biała, a tree branch fell onto a public bus, while another tree struck a moving car, though no injuries were reported in either incident. Two boats also capsized on Lake Żywieckie.

Flooding and Infrastructure Damage in Lubelskie

In the Lubelskie voivodeship, specifically Biała Podlaska, services responded to nearly 180 calls since 3:00 PM. Most interventions involved flooded streets, properties, and underground garages.

Flooding affected the underground corridors of the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Biała Podlaska. Heavy rainfall displaced traffic infrastructure at the Janowska Street roundabout construction site, and multiple parked vehicles were submerged in the Królowej Jadwigi and Księcia Witolda street areas.

Widespread Weather Warnings and Hail

Social media users have shared footage of large hailstones in locations such as Skoczów and Biały Dunajec. A PiS parliamentarian also released video of a heavy downpour near Krakow on the Zakopianka road.

The Government Security Center issued alerts for Sunday across several voivodeships, warning of strong winds and hail. The Institute of Meteorology and Water Management has issued first, second, and third-degree warnings for 15 voivodeships, forecasting rainfall up to 50 mm and wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h in some areas.