Guide Natural hazards

Storms, gales and floods: how to prepare and what to do

A severe storm often brings other trouble with it: fallen trees, downed power lines, flooded roads and power outages. Most of them are forecast in advance.

Prepared by the InCaseMap team Updated

In short: follow weather warnings (meteo.lt, LRT, InCaseMap layers). When a storm is coming, secure or bring in items from your yard and balcony, charge your phone, get a flashlight and water ready. During the storm stay indoors, away from windows, and do not travel unless you must. Never drive or walk through a flooded road — even shallow moving water can sweep a car away.

Storm and strong wind: what to do

  1. Close windows, doors and skylights tightly.
  2. Take things the wind can lift off the balconies, or fasten them securely; secure temporary structures. In the countryside, close the barns.
  3. Ask your neighbours, especially elderly people living alone and people with disabilities, whether they have heard the warnings; help them if needed.
  4. Have a torch, spare batteries, a radio and candles. Switch off electrical appliances.
  5. During the storm, do not leave home without a very good reason. Keep as far from windows as possible, ideally in a room without windows.
  6. If you must leave: switch off the electricity, turn off the gas and water, close the windows, lock the doors.

In town

During a severe storm, take shelter in stairwells or other shelters.

What not to do

  • Do not stand under tall trees, near advertising boards or power lines.
  • Do not park cars under trees.
  • Do not touch broken wires and do not go closer than 8 m – report them to ESO on 1852.

Other numbers

  • 1852 — Power faults (ESO)

Based on: Fire and Rescue Department of Lithuania (PAGD), Energijos skirstymo operatorius (ESO), Lithuanian grid operator. Translated from the Lithuanian text that InCaseMap checked against the sources on 5 October 2026.

Flood: what to do

  1. It is recommended to evacuate from the flood zone.
  2. When leaving, turn off the water and gas valves, switch off the electricity, take documents, medicines and food; close the windows, lock the doors.
  3. Register with the eldership (seniūnija) – so that it is known how many people remain in the flooded area.
  4. If you stay at home, keep in touch with your neighbours. As the water rises, go up to the top floor or the attic.
  5. Need help – hang out a piece of cloth (at night – a lit lantern). Need urgent help – wave it (at night – flash the lantern).
  6. When wading, test the way with a pole; if there are several of you, tie yourselves together with a rope.
  7. If you fall into the water, throw off heavy clothes and shoes, hold on to a floating object and wait for help.

Before a flood, if you are staying

Move your belongings as high as possible, have food, medicines and water for at least 10 days, a radio and a phone. If a flood is forecast – switch off the main circuit breakers at the house’s supply point.

What not to do

  • After a flood, do not touch broken wires, do not repair the electricity network yourself, do not switch on appliances.
  • Do not eat food that has been soaked in water.

Based on: Fire and Rescue Department of Lithuania (PAGD), Energijos skirstymo operatorius (ESO), Lithuanian grid operator. Translated from the Lithuanian text that InCaseMap checked against the sources on 5 October 2026.

When a warning is issued

  1. Check weather warnings and the wind forecast: meteo.lt, LRT or the InCaseMap “Wind” and “Precipitation” layers.
  2. Bring in or tie down items in your yard and on your balcony: furniture, plant pots, trampolines.
  3. Charge your phone and power bank, get a flashlight and a battery-powered radio ready.
  4. Do not park your car under trees or next to old buildings.
  5. Postpone trips that are not essential.

During the storm

  • Stay indoors, away from windows. Close windows and doors.
  • Outdoors, keep away from trees, poles, billboards and construction sites.
  • Do not touch or approach downed power lines — report them to ESO on the free number 1852.
  • During a thunderstorm, do not stand in open ground or under a lone tree.

Floods

  • Follow river levels: the InCaseMap “River levels” layer and meteo.lt.
  • Move valuables, documents and electrical appliances higher up.
  • If water starts flooding your home, switch off electricity and gas if it is safe to do so, and go to a higher floor.
  • Do not drive or walk through a flooded road. There may be a washed-out hole under the water, and a moving current can sweep a car away.
  • If the authorities announce an evacuation, follow their instructions. More in the evacuation guide.

After a storm or flood

  • Return home only when the authorities say it is safe.
  • In a flooded room, do not switch on the power until an electrician has checked it.
  • Do not drink well or tap water until you are sure it is not contaminated.
  • Photograph the damage for insurance before you start cleaning up.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find official weather warnings in Lithuania?

Official weather warnings are issued by the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service (meteo.lt) and broadcast by LRT. On the InCaseMap map you can turn on weather warnings and the wind, precipitation and river level layers.

Why should you not drive through a flooded road?

You do not know how deep it is or whether the road has been washed out. Moving water can push and carry away a car even when it looks shallow.

What should I do if I see a downed power line?

Do not go closer than 8 metres and keep others away. Report it to ESO on the free number 1852.

Sources

This text summarises official guidance and does not replace instructions from the authorities. During an emergency, follow announcements from LRT and the authorities.

You may freely use this text and its data, commercially too — just add a link: <a href="https://incasemap.com/en/storms-and-floods">InCaseMap</a> (more)

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