The storm brought such an intense hail downpour that some roofs collapsed, and public buildings were flooded, prompting the formation of a crisis staff.
The fire department has already responded to more than 200 calls for assistance. Units from Gniezno and Poznań counties have been dispatched to support local efforts. Despite their efforts, some streets in Gniezno remain impassable.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced that soldiers will assist in the recovery operations. "Following the storm in Gniezno and the surrounding area, soldiers are mobilizing forces to provide assistance to those affected and remove the effects of the element," he wrote on social media. "Decisions will be made, and the appropriate sections of support will be directed."
The storm, which struck around noon according to the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMGW), brought hailstones up to three centimeters in diameter. Although there were no reports of strong gusts of wind, the volume of hail and rain was enough to cause significant flooding and damage.
Footage shared on social media shows flooded streets in Gniezno. The severe weather has affected not only the Greater Poland region but also Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Lubuskie regions.
Second-degree weather warnings are in effect for several areas, including most counties in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, northern Lubuskie, southern Pomeranian, northern Greater Poland, the entire Kujawsko-Pomorskie and Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeships, northern Mazowieckie, and most counties in Podlaskie.
In the southern part of the country, second-degree warnings are also in effect for southern Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the entire Subcarpathian Voivodeship, southern Lublin Voivodeship, and southern counties of Silesia Voivodeship.
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Source: IAR
