Russia’s Tula region declares emergency after microburst scare

A state of emergency has been declared in the western Russian region of Tula after a microburst, which is a localized column of sinking air, hit the town of Yefremov, severely damaging homes and community facilities.

The emergency was announced today by the Tula Governor Vladimir Gruzdev, who arrived in the wind-swept town on Wednesday night, Intefax reports.

“Now the region will be able to request help from federal relief funds,” Gov. Gruzdev said at an operative meeting.
The regional authority said it was going to allocate $1,600 in damages to every low-income resident hit by the mini twister.
According to preliminary estimates, the wind shear ravaged about 167 private houses, 29 blocks of flats, four schools, two kindergartens, as well as various administrative buildings and industrial facilities.

At least two dozens of people have received medical help. The local emergency agency deployed over 3,500 personnel and 448 rescue vehicles to clean up the mess caused by the gust.