Komenda Powiatowa Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Bolesławcu:
During the night of 14–15 July this year, a storm with intense rainfall and strong winds passed through Bolesławiec County. As a result of the violent weather event, firefighters were called to more than 200 rescue interventions connected with removing the effects of the rainfall and wind.
Where did they intervene most often?
Firefighters: – Requests for assistance mainly came from the town and municipality of Bolesławiec, the town and municipality of Nowogrodziec, and, to a lesser extent, from the municipalities of Gromadka and Warta Bolesławiecka.
Firefighters dealt with the storm’s aftermath until 16 July.
Who took part in the operations in our county?
The following forces were deployed:
- KP PSP Bolesławiec,
- 22 volunteer fire service units from our county,
- 10 units from the State and volunteer fire services from the counties of Legnica, Lubań, Złotoryja and Zgorzelec.
Uniformed services:
The rescue operations carried out by State and volunteer firefighters mainly involved pumping water out of flooded properties, basements and ground floors of buildings; removing fallen trees and branches from roads and buildings; and securing downed power lines and other damage to technical infrastructure.
Where was the situation worst?
Firefighters: – The largest amount of water that had to be pumped out accumulated in a residential estate in Dobra, while tree-related roof damage was recorded in Rakowice and Bolesławiec.
They added: – In addition, the fire service maintained regular contact with the organizers of scout camps taking place in the municipality of Osiecznica, so that it could assist with evacuating participants if necessary. Fortunately, no hazards related to falling trees were recorded at the scout camps.
How can you protect yourself from a severe storm?
- Listen to current weather forecasts in the mass media—they contain warnings about dangerous weather phenomena.
- Remove from balconies, terraces and window sills any objects that could be carried away by the wind.
- Close windows and doors.
- Do not plan trips to the mountains and do not leave home, for example to go shopping.
- Make sure you have emergency lighting, such as a flashlight, close at hand, as well as a charged mobile phone.
- If very strong winds or intense rainfall catch you while you are driving, it is best not to continue. (Stop and look for a safe shelter.)
- Do not stop or park your car under trees, poles or power lines.
- Remember that tall objects attract lightning exceptionally well; it is best not to stay near them during a storm.
- Under no circumstances seek shelter under trees, poles, power lines or lightweight structures such as bus shelters.
- The best place to wait out a severe storm is inside a building.
- Avoid open spaces. If you cannot find shelter from a storm or hurricane, use depressions in the ground, such as a ditch or deep hollow. During a hurricane, shelter in it; during a storm, do not sit or lie on the ground—crouch down.