Strong winds hit Istrom and Kvarner, storms in Zagreb, minor damage reported

A powerful storm swept through Istria and the Kvarner region late in the afternoon, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds. The weather affected large parts of the western coast, with intense rain falling from Umag through Poreč to Rovinj, accompanied by gusty winds. Dark, low clouds covered the area, creating conditions conducive to severe weather. The downpours soon reached the interior of the peninsula, with localized areas experiencing heavier rainfall within a short period. The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) issued an orange weather warning for the river basin region, which includes Istria and the Kvarner coast, due to the potential for stronger thunderstorms. According to the warning, isolated instances of thunderstorms were possible, accompanied by heavy rainfall, local hail, and strong winds. Wind speeds could reach up to 65 km/h, with rainfall amounts ranging from 40 to 70 millimeters. The probability of thunderstorms was greater than 80 percent. Simultaneously, the storm impacted the island of Rab, where heavy rainfall over several hours caused issues and material damage to multiple structures. Data from DHMZ indicated that by 16:30, 97.4 liters of rain had fallen per square meter on the island. The heaviest rainfall occurred between noon and 1 p.m., with 67.6 liters recorded in just one hour. Firefighters intervened, pumping water from several buildings, including a kindergarten, police station, and private homes, as well as from several boats. In Lopar, additional fire teams assisted in repairing damaged roofs. The storm also knocked down a telephone pole, prompting intervention from the local telecommunications provider, DVD Lopar. Drivers were advised to exercise extra caution due to unstable weather conditions, particularly concerning reduced visibility, water on roads, and possible stronger wind gusts. By 6 p.m., strong winds had reached Zagreb, causing disruption in the city center. Thunderstorms followed shortly after, leading to chaos in the tram system, especially along Savska Street. Commandant of the shift at the Public Fire Department in Rijeka, Albet Blažević, reported ongoing interventions in the river area, primarily due to several trees falling in the eastern part of the city, some of which landed on parked vehicles. According to reports from INA, around 4 p.m., temporary power outages occurred on the external grid, affecting the refinery in Rijeka near Urinj. This disrupted production processes and overloaded safety systems, resulting in increased flame and smoke. The company noted that the flare was part of the standard safety system at the refinery and serves to safely manage process gases during unexpected situations. Power supply has since been restored, and efforts are underway to stabilize the process system and gradually restart production facilities in accordance with prescribed safety procedures. They added that during the following weeks, while the system stabilizes and production resumes, occasional appearances of increased flame on the flare might occur. Safety of employees, installations, and the surrounding environment remains the top priority.