Odessa is experiencing significant disruptions due to a cyclone that has swept into the region, prompting local authorities to issue warnings and implement emergency measures. The cyclone has resulted in heavy snowfall, particularly affecting the international highway connecting Odessa and Reni.
The Izmail District State Administration reported that the cyclone brought icy conditions, intense precipitation, and strong winds overnight. In response, all roads in the district are being treated with anti-icing materials, and municipal services are operating at heightened capacity.
Traffic restrictions are in place on the M-15 highway, which connects Odessa to Reni, prohibiting heavy vehicles and passenger transport. Despite ongoing snow removal efforts, continuous snowfall has led to rapid re-accumulation of snow on the roadway, complicating travel further. Authorities are advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.
Additionally, a major power line supplying the Izmail region from Moldova has been disconnected, resulting in partial power outages in the Safyanivka community and much of Izmail city. Local officials assure residents that emergency services are operational and that hospitals and social facilities are equipped with generators to maintain critical infrastructure.
The Odessa Regional Infrastructure Recovery and Development Service has announced temporary road closures for buses, minibuses, and all types of freight vehicles along the M-15 highway due to worsening weather conditions, including freezing rain, snow, and increased wind gusts. These measures, effective from 5:00 AM on February 18, aim to prevent traffic accidents and ensure road safety.
In response to the severe weather, municipal services in Odessa are also on alert, with equipment and emergency crews on standby around the clock. The city administration has urged property managers, homeowners’ associations, and business owners to comply with maintenance regulations by clearing snow and ice from their properties promptly.
In light of the harsh conditions, additional assistance points have been established across Odessa. The State Emergency Service has set up 20 mobile tents throughout the city, providing warmth, charging stations for devices, internet access, and hot beverages. These tents are located on streets including Yevhen Chykalenko, Academician Korolev, and Prince Yaroslav the Wise Avenue.
Weather forecasts indicate that the cyclone is expected to bring further deterioration, with predictions of significant precipitation, including 7-19 mm of snow and ice accumulation, as well as strong winds of 15-20 m/s. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging residents to stay informed and safe.
A cyclone has hit Odessa, causing severe weather conditions that have led to traffic restrictions and power outages. Local authorities are implementing emergency measures to ensure public safety and provide assistance to residents.