Expected Black Sea Storm Closes Beaches

Beach goers in western Georgia may be disappointed today to know that swimming has been prohibited in the Black Sea off Georgia’s coast in expectation of a large storm.

Georgia’s Emergency Management Service released a statement today saying that a “4-magnitude storm is expected on July 4 on the Black Sea coast and swimming is banned there. There are red flags at all rescue towers. Pay attention to prohibition signs. Swimming will be allowed after the white flags are raised on the rescue towers.”

The Emergency Management Service implores visitors to the Adjara region to obey posted signs prohibiting swimming. Up and down the coastline, there are lifeguards posted at major beaches, but in less popular spots, people will be left to rely on warning flags and good judgment to stay out of rough waters.

In mid-July 2014, another category 4 storm closed beaches in Batumi for 2 days. In mid-August 2016, a massive storm hit the Black Sea coast suddenly, closing beaches and necessitating the rescues of 16 people on or near Adjara’s beaches, including several tourists, by emergency response personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. That storm brought heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding to Batumi where people were rescued from several flooded homes. Emergency services reported receiving approximately 60 distress calls during the time of the storm. All calls were responded to and no deaths were reported. The 2016 storm also damaged a section of Batumi’s coastal boulevard, light poles, and public benches.

This year, the pattern of powerful summer storms appears to be repeating.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: Mapio