Fierce Storm Batters Split, Croatia With Hurricane Winds

On the morning of July 8, a powerful storm with hurricane-level winds struck the coastal city of Split, Croatia, bringing extensive flooding, structural damage, and disruption to maritime operations.

The storm, part of a fast-forming mesoscale convective system, unleashed winds exceeding 140 km/h (87 mph) shortly after 9 a.m. local time. The extreme weather uprooted trees, damaged buildings, and led to widespread power outages. Torrential rain and hail pelted the area, setting off alarms and forcing both residents and tourists to seek immediate shelter.

In one of the most severe incidents, a Jadrolinija ferry was torn from its moorings by the intense gusts. The ferry drifted into a catamaran before crashing into a tourist boat, which quickly sank following the collision.

Authorities reported no serious injuries from the maritime mishap, although one individual had to leap from the tourist boat to avoid harm. Local officials commended the ferry's captain and crew for quickly dropping anchor and preventing a more dangerous scenario.

The storm hit as two cruise ships—Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2—were docked in the port. Passengers aboard both vessels endured turbulent conditions, though neither ship sustained notable damage. The presence of the cruise liners, part of Marella Cruises’ summer Mediterranean itinerary, prompted swift responses from port authorities due to the potential risk.

Throughout the city, the storm caused significant destruction. Fallen trees and downed power lines affected multiple neighborhoods, and a stadium roof suffered heavy damage. Flooding left many roads impassable, and emergency services were inundated with distress calls.

The sudden storm followed a stretch of extreme heat across the Balkan region, with temperatures climbing above 40 °C (104 °F). This abrupt shift from scorching heat to violent weather played a major role in the development of the intense storm front.