Heavy rains, high winds and hail storms ravage parts of Croatia

Heavy rain has affected the western parts of Croatia. The State Hydro Meteorological Institute has issued an orange weather alert - which is the second of three possible levels. However, weather conditions began to clear in the afternoon. Due to the heavy rainfall last night and during the morning, a record water level was recorded near the Hrvatsko settlement in Gorski Kotar, and extraordinary flood protection measures were declared in that area.

The Hrvatske vode water management company has issued a warning for the Mura and upper Drava basins of the possible need to declare a preparatory state of flood defenses, and as early as tomorrow, a preparatory state could be declared on certain parts of the Drava River. The current flow of the Drava River at its exit from Austria is about 1 100 cubic meters per second (m3/s), and according to the latest forecasts, the flow is expected to reach a level of 1 200 m3/s. Considering the current data from forecasting models, tomorrow, on November 1st, the flow in the Drava River at its exit from Slovenia will be around 1 000 m3/s. If this forecast comes true, the conditions will be met for declaring a state of readiness, and perhaps even regular flood defenses, on the part of the Drava River that stretches from the Slovenian border all the way to the Varaždin Reservoir. Hrvatske vode’s branch office for the Mura and upper Drava basins, are also warning that there is a possibility of declaring a preparatory state of flood defenses on sections that extend from Varaždin to the border with Slovenia. For this reason they have called on citizens to prepare for possible flood defense measures.

Heavy rains fell in the wider Rijeka area as well. Overnight more than rainfall of 87 liters per square meter were recorded. High winds uprooted a tree that fell on a parked vehicle in Turnić, where traffic has been reduced to a crawl. The local market has also flooded. Firefighters have been on the ground since 6AM. Water levels that exceeded the mean sea level by 105 cm was recorded in the coastal town of Bakar. A similar, extremely high water level and the consequent flooding of the coastal area was recorded four days ago. As usual, there are several possible factors that contributed to such a high sea level. One of these factors is the so-called storm surge, i.e. sea level rise associated with the action of low air pressure and stormy southerly winds. Another factor is the tidal oscillations, which culminated Tuesday morning.

Due to heavy rainfall last night and during the morning, a record water level was recorded near the Hrvatsko settlement in Gorski Kotar, and extraordinary flood protection measures were declared in that area, according to officials in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.

Heavy rain also affected the western parts of our country. This morning, hail hit the towns of Zabok, Veliko Trgovišće, Oroslavje and Sveti Križ Začretje, as well as parts of Krapinske Toplice and Luka. Strong winds also damaged roofs and felled trees.

At around 10:30AM, Varaždin was hit by a severe storm accompanied by rain, strong winds and thunder and small hail. The brief storm, which lasted all of ten minutes managed to uproot a tree near the Varaždin Technology Park.

The forecast for Wednesday calls for more stable and mostly dry weather, especially in the morning when it will be sunnier. However, in the afternoon, a new wave cloud cover is expected, with rain starting on the northern Adriatic, and then spreading to the rest of the country in the evening.

Source: HRT