The southwestern city of Pärnu in Estonia experienced an unusual and extreme weather event on Monday, receiving a month’s worth of rain in just an hour and a half. This deluge caused chaos in the city, inundating storm drain and sewer systems, and leading to flooding in the city center streets. The situation was so severe that some vehicles had to be abandoned as a result of the downpour.
According to a report by ETV news show „Aktuaalne kaamera“ (AK), the last time Pärnu saw rainfall of this volume was during a storm in January 2005. A total of 52 millimeters of rain fell on Monday, within a short period of time. Meteorologist Kaido Ennok explained that showers of this intensity are caused by rapidly forming clouds within hot air masses. He mentioned that within just 20 minutes, over 20 millimeters of rain came down, highlighting the intensity of the downpour.
The aftermath of the heavy rainfall was evident in the city, with AK reporting on vehicles trapped in the water. Auto experts warned about the sensitivity of modern-day cars‘ electronic systems to water damage, advising drivers to proceed cautiously through flooded areas. Meelis Pajumägi, head of Topauto Pärnu, emphasized the importance of driving slowly through deep water to prevent damage to the car’s vital components.
Roman Vaba, head of technical services at water supplier Pärnu Vesi, described the situation as unprecedented, with no sewer or storm water system capable of handling such volumes in one go. The lower intersections of the city center were particularly affected, with diversions put in place for traffic and solutions being sought to address the problems caused by the flooding.
The force of the water was so strong that maintenance hole covers were ripped off in several places, leading to water entering the basements of residential buildings. Roman Vaba highlighted the need for future planning to take storm flow into consideration more, suggesting the importance of incorporating green areas, ditches, and ponds to prevent rainwater accumulation.
Despite the significant damage caused by the rainfall, no damage claims had yet been reported to Pärnu Vesi or the city government. The city officials and water suppliers are working to address the aftermath of the calamity and plan for better stormwater management in the future.
In conclusion, the extreme weather event in Pärnu serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of unpredictable natural disasters. The city’s response to the flooding highlights the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such events and protect the community from future incidents.