In Odesa and the Odesa region, nine people, including a child, died as a result of a powerful storm that brought record rainfall and flooding.
Rescuers have been working around the clock for nearly a day to eliminate the consequences of the disaster, the State Emergency Service (DSNS) reported on Telegram.
Throughout the night, they evacuated people trapped by floodwaters, removed vehicles, and pumped water from buildings.
Marina Averina, spokeswoman for the Odesa region’s State Emergency Service, said during a national telethon that a family of five had died as a result of the heavy downpour.
According to her, one of the most tragic cases was the death of a family living on the ground floor of a house.
“They were covered by a wave and could not get out. The whole family died,” Averina said.
Moreover, three women walking along a road were swept away by the floodwaters and killed. All the deceased were residents of Odesa.
The storm also affected Chornomorsk, though the greatest destruction was recorded in Odesa itself.
Overnight, rescuers carried out extensive work, including evacuations from flooded areas.
“In some places, the water was chest-high, and we were carrying people to evacuation buses,” Averina added.
On Tuesday, Sept. 30, heavy rains and strong winds hit several regions of Ukraine. In Odesa, nearly two months’ worth of precipitation fell in just seven hours.
Odesa Mayor Hennady Trukhanov addressed the locals on Telegram: “No storm sewer system can withstand such a load.”
He noted the situation was difficult but under control, while warning residents to be cautious as bad weather is expected to continue on Oct. 1.
Public transport was suspended, schools switched to remote learning, and a red danger level was declared in the city.
By 7:00 a.m., rescuers found a girl who had gone missing the previous day.
In total, 362 people were rescued and 227 vehicles were evacuated. The DSNS deployed 255 rescuers and 68 units of equipment.
The Odesa City Administration advised residents to avoid unnecessary movement, especially by car, on Wednesday morning, Oct. 1.