On the night of July 20, 2026, strong thunderstorms with gusty winds passed through central Slovakia. This caused energy workers to declare an energy disaster, meaning a large-scale network failure. More than 20,000 households were left without electricity. The worst situation was in the districts of Považská Bystrica, Námestovo, Zvolen, and Lučenec, reports Správy STVR.
The bad weather caused a death. In the village of Zubák, in the Púchov district, a 51-year-old man died. A tree branch fell on him while he was hiding from the storm under it, writes Teraz.sk. Do not go near fallen trees near power lines, even after the storm has passed. This is what rescuers warn about after every such night.
Extent of Damage
The distribution company Stredoslovenská distribučná (SSD) recorded 12 serious damages to high-voltage lines and dozens to low-voltage lines. The main cause was fallen trees and broken branches that broke the wires.
During the night, the Fire and Rescue Service (HaZZ) made over 150 calls, mostly in the Trenčín and Žilina regions. Rescuers cleared roads of trees and pumped water from flooded basements and streets.
The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) had previously issued a second, orange, level of danger for most regions of central and western Slovakia. Thunderstorms with hail and winds up to 85 km/h were predicted.
When the Power Will Return
SSD mobilized all available crews, according to the company's statement. As of the morning of July 20, several hundred households remained without electricity. The work is made difficult by the mountainous terrain, as some damaged areas are hard to reach with equipment.
How to Behave After a Storm
If you live in affected areas or plan to travel there:
Do not go near fallen trees that are on or near power lines, and do not touch broken wires – they may be live. Report damage to the SSD hotline.
Traffic lights, gas stations, and ATMs may not work without electricity, so keep your phones charged and have a supply of drinking water.
Before traveling, check the current warnings on the SHMÚ website: summer thunderstorms this season regularly reach the orange level, so the next storms are not far away.
Meteorologists warn that in July, series of thunderstorms with hail and squalls will continue in central Slovakia. If a second level of danger is announced in your area, stay at home, remove anything from your balcony that could fly away, and do not park your car under old trees.
