Local officials warned on Sunday night the worst has yet to come
© Telegram
Powerful winds and heavy rain battered the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, knocking down trees, ripping off roofs, and leaving nearly half a million residents without power. Water supply interruptions have also been reported in multiple settlements.
Rescuers were helping residents of several flooded communities along the southwestern shore of the peninsula, including the Black Sea resort city of Yevpatoria. Authorities have urged people to remain calm, as emergency brigades are working to restore services.
At least three people were injured and hospitalized, as of Sunday night. The storm also caused damage to 23 houses and 17 vehicles, while dozens of trees and billboards were knocked down.
According to weather forecasts, the peak of the storm is still ahead, the governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev, said following an emergency meeting.
“Overnight temperatures may be sub-zero, so we are starting to pave the roads in the most difficult places,” he said on his Telegram, adding that rescue services will continue to work throughout the night.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry (EMERCOM) first announced a storm warning in Crimea due to the Mediterranean cyclone on Thursday, with the peak of the storm expected to hit early Monday morning.
Local authorities in Crime declared a day off on Monday, urging residents to stay home and let the emergency services deal with the crisis.
