A powerful storm caused widespread destruction across Hungary on Monday, prompting more than 2,200 emergency responses by firefighters, according to Spokesperson for the National Directorate General for Disaster Management Dániel Mukics.
The worst-affected areas included Bács–Kiskun, Békés, Csongrád–Csanád, Hajdú–Bihar, Pest, and Veszprém counties, as well as the capital, Budapest. Emergency crews worked through the day to clear uprooted trees from roads, homes, garages, fences, railways, and vehicles.
Numerous buildings suffered damage either from high winds or falling trees. A tree crashed into a transformer station on northern Margaret Island, and the roof of the National Széchényi Library was torn up across 100 square metres.
In Csongrád–Csanád County alone, nearly 400 emergency calls had been received by 4:30pm, mostly from Hódmezővásárhely and Szeged. Downed trees and large branches disrupted traffic in city centres and rural areas alike.
Fejér County recorded around 120 incidents, mostly in Székesfehérvár, Polgárdi, and Adony. A tree fell onto railway tracks in Székesfehérvár, also damaging overhead lines. Winds tore off roofs from homes in Adony and Kőszárhegy.
A high-voltage power line snapped near the M7 motorway between Szabadbattyán and Székesfehérvár, igniting a nearby field. The tension cable fell across both lanes of the highway, leading to major disruptions.
Fire brigades were also heavily engaged in Tolna and Somogy counties. In the Barcs region, fallen trees and branches blocked roads, while a car collided with a tree near Inke. In Kaposvár, a walnut tree crushed a greenhouse, and firefighters had to remove a large broken branch hanging dangerously above a nursery playground.
Bács–Kiskun County’s control centre received around 250 emergency calls by late afternoon, mostly from Kiskunfélegyháza, Kerekegyháza, and Lajosmizse. Large trees fell onto houses in Tompa and Kalocsa, and strong winds ripped the roof off a home in Soltszentimre. Road blockages and power line damage were also reported along highways 51 and 54.
In Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg County, 280 storm-related calls were registered by 8pm, mainly from Nyíregyháza, Nagykálló, Újfehértó, and Vásárosnamény. Power outages occurred in several towns. In Újfehértó, a chimney collapsed due to wind, and fallen trees disrupted traffic near Csenger and Vásárosnamény.
Authorities continue to urge caution as cleanup and repair efforts remain underway.
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