Sighetu Marmației Hit by Devastating Storm
Flooding, Property Damage Reported After Intense Downpours
A powerful storm struck Sighetu Marmației on Sunday, unleashing torrential rain and strong winds that caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. Emergency services are currently working to address the aftermath, which includes widespread flooding.
Torrential Rains Overwhelm Drainage Systems
The storm, characterized by sudden downpours and fierce gusts, overwhelmed the town’s drainage capabilities. Torrents formed on nearby slopes, swelling local streams and causing them to overflow onto numerous streets in Sighetu Marmației. This surge of water led to the inundation of residential areas.
Violente furtuni în Maramureș! 🌪️ Ploi torențiale, vijelii și grindină au afectat mai multe localități. Imagini din Sighetu Marmației arată străzi inundate și gospodării afectate. Intervențiile ISU sunt în desfășurare. Fii precaut! #furtuna #maramureș #sighetumarmației pic.twitter.com/QnKcznQ0q2
— ActualMM.ro (@ActualMM) October 1, 2023
The spokesperson for the Maramureș Prefecture, **Dan Bucă**, confirmed the extent of the damage. “The intervention teams are acting in Sighetu Marmației to eliminate the negative effects produced by the storm. The unfavorable weather (cloud breaking, strong gusts and rainfall fell in showers) has caused damages in the municipality of Sighetu Marmației,” he stated.
Basements, Courtyards, and Annexes Affected
According to the prefect of Maramureș county, **Florian Sălăjeanu**, the storm’s impact was substantial. Nine basements, five courtyards, and two household annexes, specifically stables, were flooded. Fortunately, no animals or birds were reported as drowned, and the wind damage, while present, was not catastrophic in terms of structural collapse.
“The sewerage on the streets could not take over the rainwater that poured into the courts and households. The water spots flooded nine basements, five courtyards and two household annexes (stables). There were no drowned animals and birds. The powerful gusts of the wind were not for five.”
—Florian Sălăjeanu, Prefect of Maramureș County
This level of localized flooding is not uncommon during intense weather events. For instance, a 2022 study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) highlighted that urban flooding can occur even with relatively short bursts of heavy rain due to the prevalence of impermeable surfaces like roads and buildings, which prevent water from soaking into the ground (NOAA).
Emergency Response Underway
Military firefighters from the Sighetu Marmației detachment are actively engaged in water evacuation efforts using specialized vehicles and motor pumps. Concurrently, local Civil Protection and Volunteer Firefighting Services (CLSU and SVSU) along with City Hall employees are clearing debris.
These teams are using chainsaws to remove fallen trees and broken branches, while heavy machinery, including bulldozers and excavators, are being employed to clear channels, ditches, and gutters. The focus is on removing accumulated alluvium, such as earth, gravel, and twigs, from the streets to restore normalcy.
Authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage as cleanup operations progress, aiming to mitigate the long-term effects of the severe weather event on the community.
