According to the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD), emergency responders received 185 calls between 6:30 on August 24 and 6:30 on August 25, which included 12 fire suppression responses, 137 rescue operations, and 36 false alarms.
Wind Storm Recovery and Regional Request Totals
By Tuesday morning, the single emergency assistance number 112 logged 3,347 applications connected to damage caused by the strong wind, according to VUGD data. Although the pace of incoming new applications dropped significantly, requests continued arriving at a lower volume from every region across Latvia over the 24-hour period.
VUGD recorded 267 additional applications during that timeframe. The greatest increase occurred in Riga, where requests grew by 140, followed by the Riga region with an increase of 58. Zemgale logged 34 more applications, Latgale recorded 19, Vidzeme added 12, and Kurzeme submitted four.
In total, Riga gathered the highest volume with 1,164 applications, while the Riga region registered 860, which includes 243 cases in Jūrmala. Latgale accumulated 496 applications, featuring 165 in Daugavpils and 78 in Augšdaugava Municipality. Zemgale totaled 450 requests, including 107 in Jelgava and Jelgava Municipality alongside 95 in Jēkabpils Municipality. Kurzeme recorded 203 requests, and Vidzeme logged 174.
Active Fire Suppression and Rescue Operations
Alongside weather-related cleanup work, VUGD crews responded to structural fires and localized incidents. At 17:55, dispatchers received a call to Brīvības gatve in Riga, where a fire broke out inside a three-story unoccupied building, according to official incident reports. Flames consumed the first floor across an area of 50 square meters. A team of 17 firefighters equipped with four tank pumpers and one aerial ladder tackled the blaze, concluding operations at 19:28.
Additional dispatches sent firefighters to extinguish burning waste, a power line pole, a building roof, and unattended food left to burn on a stove, according to VUGD records.
Public Safety Warnings and Future Outlook
As the elimination of wind-generated consequences continues, VUGD advises residents to maintain caution even after the wind subsides. Trees may retain broken branches or damaged trunks capable of unexpected collapse. Authorities urge the public to avoid damaged or leaning trees, snapped limbs, downed power lines, and severed electrical cables.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many total weather-related applications were received by Tuesday morning?
According to VUGD, the 112 emergency service received 3,347 applications related to strong wind damage by Tuesday morning.
Which region recorded the highest number of total wind damage applications?
Riga recorded the highest total with 1,164 applications, followed by the Riga region with 860 requests.
What specific safety hazards do emergency services warn residents about following the wind?
VUGD warns that trees may feature broken branches or damaged trunks that could fall unexpectedly, advising residents to stay away from leaning trees, snapped limbs, and downed electrical lines.