Slovakia calls extraordinary government meeting after severe storm damage

A severe storm has caused widespread destruction in the Rimavská Sobota district of Slovakia, prompting Prime Minister Fico to call an extraordinary government meeting. The storm, characterized by intense wind gusts and heavy rain, impacted approximately 15 settlements, with the areas around Tornalja and Radnót suffering the most significant damage.

In Radnót, reports indicate that nearly every house was damaged. The storm destroyed a festival stage and damaged a church roof. In Bottovo, roofs were torn off houses, a cultural center, and an apartment building, while large trees were uprooted. Other affected areas include Runyá, where a fallen high-voltage pole blocked a road, and Sajószárnya, which experienced fallen trees and roof damage.

The storm also caused major disruptions to the electrical grid, leaving over 6,000 households without power. Meteorologist Miroslav Šinger noted that while a tornado cannot be ruled out, the evidence suggests a downburst. Ministry of Interior spokesperson Matej Neumann confirmed the extreme nature of the wind, which caused widespread roof failures and uprooted century-old trees.