At least 10 dead, dozens injured in Ukraine after blizzard cripples Black Sea region
A major storm brought hurricane-force winds, blizzard conditions and flooding across the Black Sea region over the weekend. Ukraine officials report the storm claimed at least 10 lives.
Winter storm system dumping snow across Eastern Europe
A strong low-pressure system moved off the Black Sea into Eastern Europe over the weekend bringing blizzard conditions, including 60 mph wind gusts in Romania and parts of Ukraine.
KYIV, Ukraine – A deadly Mediterranean storm brought blizzard conditions, high snow totals and massive waves throughout Eastern Europe and Russia over the weekend, stranding thousands of drivers and damaging sea-side towns.
A strong low-pressure system – responsible for gale-force winds off Greece, causing a freighter vessel to sink – moved across the Black Sea into Romania, Moldovia, Ukraine and Russia on Sunday. Meteorologist organizations across the region predicted winds of 40-50 mph and more than a foot of snow in some areas.
Officials with Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs report that blizzard conditions killed 10 people, including children. The deaths were reported in Odesa, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Kyiv. More than 20 others were injured.
Firefighters in Romania and first responders in Ukraine faced blizzard conditions as they worked to clear roads and free dozens of stranded motorists from snow. Emergency officials in Ukraine reported more than 2,500 people across a thousand vehicles were stuck in snow drifts over the weekend and required rescue.
Nearly 850 vehicles required towing, including 24 buses and 17 emergency vehicles, officials said.
![A car being towed in the snow during a winter storm in Ukraine.]()
Image 1 of 9A car being towed in the snow during a winter storm in Ukraine. (Image: Ukraine emergency services) ( )
![Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU)]()
Image 2 of 9Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU) ( )
![Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU)]()
Image 3 of 9Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU) ( )
![Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU)]()
Image 4 of 9Winter storm conditions in Romania on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. (Image: IGSU) ( )
![Blizzard conditions in Romania on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023.]()
Image 5 of 9Winter storm conditions in Romania on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. (Image: IGSU) ( )
![Waves crash against a seafront in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi during a storm on November 27, 2023.]()
Image 6 of 9Waves crash against a seafront in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi during a storm on November 27, 2023. (Photo by Mikhail Mordasov / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL MORDASOV/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A rescuer carries a cat and helps a woman during an evacuation of residents of the flooded village of Pribrezhnoe in Crimea on November 27, 2023, following a storm.]()
Image 7 of 9A rescuer carries a cat and helps a woman during an evacuation of residents of the flooded village of Pribrezhnoe in Crimea on November 27, 2023, following a storm. (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A picture shows damage at a storm-hit seafront in Crimea's largest city of Sevastopol on November 27, 2023.]()
Image 8 of 9A picture shows damage at a storm-hit seafront in Crimea's largest city of Sevastopol on November 27, 2023. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![A warship is seen docked in the port of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi during a storm on November 27, 2023.]()
Image 9 of 9A warship is seen docked in the port of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi during a storm on November 27, 2023. (Photo by Mikhail Mordasov / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL MORDASOV/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
Thousands without power in bitter cold
Meanwhile, ferocious winds led to widespread power outages across Ukraine, Crimea and Russia.
Reuters reported that more than 1,600 settlements in Ukraine were without power, primarily in the Kyiv, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions.
Ukraine utility provider DTEK said crews were working to restore power after heavy snow and high winds damaged transformers. The utility company is facing inclement weather, as well as Russian shelling amid the ongoing war. On Monday, DTEK reported one of its thermal power plants was attacked for the fifth time within a month.
A picture shows damage at a storm-hit seafront in Crimea's largest city of Sevastopol on November 27, 2023. (Photo by STRINGER / AFP) (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Satellite images show the storm brought gusty winds up to 50 mph to Ukraine throughout Monday. Hurricane-force gusts as high as 90 mph were recorded in Crimea.
SAILORS MISSING AFTER GALE-FORCE WINDS SINK FREIGHTER OFF GREEK ISLAND
Eastern Europe wind gusts on Monday morning, Nov. 27, 2023.
(FOX Weather)
On the coast, crashing waves caused damage to seaside towns in Crimea and Russia.
Coastal flooding caused evacuations in Crimean villages when streets flooded, and more than 400,000 people were without power.
A rescuer carries a cat and helps a woman during an evacuation of residents of the flooded village of Pribrezhnoe in Crimea on November 27, 2023, following a storm. (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Weather forecasters in Russia said strong waves up to 14 feet were expected on the Black Sea coast through Monday.
Photos showed massive waves crashing around businesses and piers in the resort city of Sochi.
A warship is seen docked in the port of the Black Sea resort city of Sochi during a storm on November 27, 2023. (Photo by Mikhail Mordasov / AFP) (Photo by MIKHAIL MORDASOV/AFP via Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
The governor of the Moscow region in Russia said the storm brought the heaviest snowfall to Moscow in 40 years. Russian state news outlets are reporting more than 9 inches of snow in the capital city.
Temperatures were around 14 degrees as the snow, ice and sleet continued to pile up, and Moscow's regional governor said more than 2,000 pieces of equipment were brought in to clear the streets throughout the night.
Another winter storm looms for Ukraine and Russia
As this storm system moves out, Ukraine and Russia are expecting another storm right behind it.
Ukraine's meteorological service is forecasting a round of wet weather to pass over the region beginning Wednesday.
Satellite images show a weather system moving across Europe that will arrive in Ukraine by Wednesday.
(FOX Weather)
Rainfall is forecast in the southern and southeastern regions, and snow is possible in the west.