As reported by Komenda Powiatowa Państwowej Straży Pożarnej w Bolesławcu:

The first reports began reaching the command post of the county PSP commander on 17 February 2022, at around 4:00 a.m. Firefighters from both the rescue and firefighting unit and Volunteer Fire Service units carried out rescue operations, mainly involving the removal of fallen trees, broken branches, trees at risk of falling, damaged power lines, and roofs torn off residential and farm buildings.

Fortunately, no one was injured.

Number of interventions in individual municipalities:

  • Bolesławiec municipality – 10
  • Bolesławiec gmina – 19
  • Gromadka – 22
  • Nowogrodziec – 3
  • Osiecznica – 35
  • Warta Bolesławiecka – 16.

Buildings were also damaged in Stare Jaroszowice, Modła, Gromadka, Szczytnica, Raciborowice Górne, Tomaszów Bolesławiecki, and in Bolesławiec itself. In addition, the roofing was damaged on a church in Brzeźnik and on a school in Osiecznica.

How to safely get through gale-force winds and storms?

  • Listen to current weather forecasts in the mass media—they contain warnings about dangerous weather phenomena.
  • Remove from balconies, terraces, and windowsills anything that could be carried away by the wind. Remember that such objects could pose an unnecessary threat to you, your loved ones, and bystanders.
  • Close the windows and doors.
  • If possible, switch off electrical and gas appliances.
  • Do not plan trips to the mountains, and do not leave home, for example to go shopping.
  • Secure a minimum supply of drinking water, food, and essential medicines.
  • Check that you have emergency lighting, such as a flashlight, at hand, as well as a charged mobile phone.
  • Do not watch dangerous weather phenomena. During a storm, stay away from windows and doors.
  • If you are in a building at the centre of hurricane-force winds or a tornado, sit beneath a load-bearing wall, away from windows and doors, preferably on the lowest floor, such as in a basement.
  • If very strong winds or heavy rain catch you while travelling by car, it is best not to continue driving. (Stop and look for safe shelter.)
  • Do not stop or park your car under trees, poles, or power lines. Remember that tall objects readily attract lightning, and it is best not to remain near them during a storm.
  • Under no circumstances seek shelter under trees, poles, power lines, or lightweight structures such as bus and tram shelters.
  • It is best to wait out a storm inside a building.
  • Avoid open spaces. If you cannot find shelter from a storm or hurricane, make use of depressions in the ground, such as a ditch or deep hole—during a hurricane, shelter in it; during a storm, do not sit or lie on the ground—crouch instead.
  • Move away from metal objects and do not touch them.

We reported regularly on the strong wind and its effects, including in the following materials: