Storm Chaos in Split: When Nature Shows Its Teeth and the Mayor Accepts Help from Zagreb!
This morning, Split faced an absolute nightmare! A storm with heavy rain, hail, and winds reaching up to 100 km/h ravaged the city and its surroundings. The Marjan park-forest is closed to pedestrians and vehicles due to a massive number of broken trees. Organizers of the Ultra Europe festival say they will repair the damaged structures and that the festival will not be postponed, but the damage is clearly huge.
Injuries and Chaos on the Streets
The Split hospital admitted 26 patients, two of whom are seriously injured but out of life-threatening danger. Emergency services were overwhelmed with calls about fallen trees, damaged vehicles, flooded streets, and damaged roofs. Traffic was in chaos, and the police urged citizens to be cautious and respect the bans on entering dangerous areas.
Mayor Šuta and Help from Zagreb
Split’s mayor, Tomislav Šuta, thanked the city of Zagreb and its mayor, Tomislav Tomašević, who immediately offered help. Four teams of climbers for clearing the area will arrive tomorrow. This is a true example of solidarity in crisis situations and shows how helpless Split was to handle the storm’s aftermath alone.
Storm as a Consequence of Climate Change?
Former mayor Ivica Puljak commented that this extreme weather is another sign that climate change is not a myth and should not be ignored. Strong winds, heavy rains, and hail are no longer rare, and the consequences are becoming more severe for cities like Split.
Massive Material Damage
The Hajduk Poljud stadium was heavily damaged; the roof was hit, the field flooded, and indoor spaces damaged. The Brodosplit shipyard also suffered damage. In the port, a ferry collided with two other vessels, one of which sank, and the ferry was damaged. Glass panels were blown off the Croatia osiguranje building, and streets were blocked by fallen trees and branches.
Call for Citizens to Stay Cautious
Due to the danger of falling branches and trees, the Marjan park-forest remains closed. Citizens are urged not to approach closed areas and to follow official information sources like DHMZ and civil protection services. Damage claims can be submitted via a special email address of the city of Split until July 10.
Conclusion: Split Fighting Nature and Its Consequences
The storm that hit Split is not just a natural disaster but a test of the city’s and state’s readiness to deal with the consequences of climate change and extreme weather conditions. Help from Zagreb is welcome, but it’s clear that recovery will take a long time, and caution is still necessary.
If you’re from Split or just watched the chaos on TV, drop a comment below — is it time to take climate change seriously, or will we keep waiting for nature to surprise us? And hey, if you have any hilarious videos or photos of the storm, share them — let’s laugh and cry together!
