Storm Ravages Macedonia: Uprooted Trees, Crushed Cars, and Evacuations

A powerful storm system swept across multiple municipalities in Macedonia last night, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Torrential rains combined with fierce winds caused significant material damage, disrupting traffic and damaging infrastructure across the country.

The most severe consequences were felt in Strumica, Radovish, Delchevo, Dojran, and Kumanovo. In these areas, the extreme weather uprooted trees, knocked down utility poles, and severed power lines. Several vehicles were also crushed under falling debris.

In the Strumica region, emergency services were dispatched to extinguish fires that broke out in a barn in Visoka Maala and dry grass in Murtino. Firefighters also worked to clear a fallen tree in Novo Selo. The local fire department urged citizens to exercise extreme caution, advising them to avoid damaged trees and power lines, and to report any hazards immediately.

Delchevo experienced substantial property damage, with the roof of a building suffering the most severe impact. Tin roofs in the Rasadnik neighborhood and the city center were also affected. The storm severely damaged the local power grid, bringing down several utility poles. Mayor Ivan Gocevski confirmed that some residents, including children, had to be safely evacuated. Emergency teams and specialized machinery were deployed to clear roads blocked by fallen trees.

In Kumanovo, the strong winds toppled trees on several streets, including "Blagoja Iliev Gune," "Leskovachka," and "Oktomvriska Revolucija." A tin roof was blown off on "Leskovachka" street, and trees fell on the highway towards Skopje near the Romanovce toll booth, as well as on the old road to Sveti Nikole.

Star Dojran saw dozens of mature trees, including maples, pines, and acacias, uprooted across various locations. The storm damaged canopies, beach equipment, several vehicles, and the roof of a shop in the city market.

Local authorities in Novo Selo issued warnings for drivers to be particularly careful due to obstacles on the roads. Meanwhile, in Radovish, firefighters cleared streets and extinguished a fire in a building in the village of Podaresh, which was sparked by damaged electrical wires.