Since early this morning, State Emergency Service units have been dispatched four times to clear the roads. Emergency responders from Uzhhorod, Volovets, and Svalyava have already restored traffic flow; however, due to strong gusts of wind, drivers are urged not to park their cars under trees.
Heavy precipitation and strong gusts of wind have caused a number of complications on the roads of Zakarpattia Oblast. Since early this morning, rescue teams have been called out four times to cut up and remove fallen trees that were blocking traffic in several districts of the region.
The Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Zakarpattia region reported on the cleanup efforts following the storm.
Where the storm blocked roads and damaged vehicles
State Emergency Service personnel quickly addressed the aftermath of the storm at four locations across the region:
- the village of Skotarske (Mukachevo District): a large tree fell onto the roadway due to strong gusts of wind and struck a passenger car parked nearby, causing mechanical damage to it;
- the city of Uzhhorod (Obizna Street) and the village of Tsyhanivtsi (Uzhhorod District): tree trunks blown down by the wind fell across the roads and completely blocked traffic in both directions;
- near the town of Svalyava: a tree fell onto a section of an international highway, partially blocking traffic.
Thirteen rescue workers and four pieces of specialized equipment from the fire and rescue units of the cities of Uzhhorod and Svalyava and the town of Volovets were deployed to clear the roads. Currently, all fallen trees have been cut up and removed from the roadway—traffic on the region’s roads is fully restored; however, State Emergency Service specialists continue to monitor the weather situation in the region.
Rescue Workers’ Recommendations for Drivers and Pedestrians
Given the challenging weather conditions, emergency responders are once again urging residents and visitors to Transcarpathia to follow safety guidelines:
- do not park vehicles under large, old trees, power lines, billboards, or near unstable structures;
- When driving on roads, maintain a safe speed and following distance, especially on mountainous and forested sections of the road.
Source: Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zakarpattia Oblast.
