Presov Declares State of Emergency After Severe Storm

Presov/Bratislava, 1 July (TASR) - A state of emergency has been declared in Presov after a severe storm struck the city on Wednesday evening, the city's spokesperson Michal Hudak confirmed to TASR. The storm caused extensive damage, with firefighters continuing to deal with its aftermath. An operations officer at the Presov Regional Directorate of the Firefighter and Rescue Service told TASR that all available firefighters have been deployed. Residents shared photographs on social media showing fallen trees and branches, damaged vehicles, mud deposits and hail. The Roman Catholic Parish of Queen of Peace also published photographs of broken trees and a fallen statue. It appealed for volunteers to help clear storm damage on Thursday, 2 July. After days of extreme heat, thunderstorms hit several parts of Slovakia on Wednesday. Some were severe, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and hail. Flooded streets, broken branches and uprooted trees have been reported, while the weather has also disrupted transport. Power outages have been reported in several areas. mf