On Monday morning, the main Christmas tree of Gargždai in western Lithuania was toppled due to strong winds. The Christmas trees also fell in Šilalė, Mažeikiai, Raseiniai, Vilkaviškis, and Alytus.
Representatives of the Klaipėda District Municipality told LRT.lt that the Christmas tree in Gargždai broke at a height of about one metre above its stand. Many of the tree’s toys broke, garlands got tangled, and branches broke off.
According to the municipality representatives, the tree is expected to be lifted and the damage assessed in the afternoon when the wind is expected to die down.
It will be assessed whether it is still possible to restore the Christmas tree in Gargždai. If the damage is critical, the contractors who decorated it will be asked to install a new tree with a frame.
Šilalė Mayor Tadas Bartkus also informed that the town’s Christmas tree had fallen due to strong winds.
“Christmas trees are falling in western Lithuania. Our town’s Christmas tree could not withstand the strong wind. The restoration work will start as soon as the weather conditions allow,” the mayor wrote on Facebook on Monday morning.
Residents also reported fallen Christmas trees in Raseiniai, Mažeikiai, and Vilkaviškis.
The Christmas tree also fell in Alytus in southern Lithuania. Alytus Mayor Nerijus Cesiulis shared a video on Facebook.
In the port of Klaipėda, gust winds reached the speeds of 31 m/s on Monday morning. Due to the weather conditions, shipping has been restricted since 6:00. There is one ship waiting to sail off and three waiting to enter the port.
Since midnight on Monday, firefighters in Lithuania have received around 100 reports of fallen trees blocking roads. At least 32,000 people are also reported to be without electricity due to strong winds.
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