Great August Storm
The Great August Storm (Vyvlander: Greetsdyrm Aygusts, Luziycan: Uragan Maroder, Luziycan English: Hurricane Maroder) was a freak storm which hit western Vyvland on the night of the 29th-30th August 1993, and parts of northern Luziyca on the 2nd-6th September. During the storm, some areas recorded over a month's worth of rainfall in under five hours, while winds reached speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour (125mph). The storm resulted in widespread disruption to travel and infrastructure in Vyvland, in addition to large amounts of flooding from both the sea and rivers, especially on the River Fule and River Ryzer.
Preparation
The storm had been predicted from midway into the day on the 28th, although this left many unprepared. Hurried flood defences were set up, while families and households were advised to avoid all but necessary travel by then-Prime Minister Denis Eeris and MetCen, the government weather advisory body. Some coastal roads were blocked as signs of the approaching storm were seen late on the afternoon of the 29th. All personnel working for the emergency services in the provinces likely to be affected were ordered to stay on duty overnight in order to assist with the effects of the storm.
In certain towns, tree squads were hastily formed to move around towns and alert residents to trees which were at risk of falling, and cut down, prune or coppice trees in public areas which posed a significant risk to property. The city council of Stiven reported that 338 individuals employed by the council had removed or pruned over two thousand trees in the 36 hours between the storm's first forecast and its landfall in the city. However, the distribution of these squads was sporadic, and many cities suffered due to this. No preparation squads were formed by Vyvlubaan, the national rail company, and as such, the rail system was hit badly by the storm.
In Inleda, on August 29th following reports of the hurricane striking Vyvland, and anticipating landfall in Inleda, the government of the Republic of Inleda under the order of the Chief Executive Fred Grönkullen imposed a state of emergency in all of Inleda north of Torstad, and east of Pavensstad. On Sept. 5th, the governments of the State of Bethlehem and Alto Luziyca also issued states of emergency, and the federal government began plans to evacuate it to either Vesterhag or Gijirokastra, prior to the strength being reduced to "prevailing wind conditions" on Sept. 6th.
The storm in Vyvland
The front of the storm hit land around Pee, in the far northwestern tip of Vyvland, at 6:53pm. After this, a large body of rain was drawn in over the land, with winds picking up at around 8:00 in Pee, and moving inland within the next two hours. High winds remained throughout the night, with heavy rainfall lasting for five hours in most places. The storm began to calm down at around 1am on the coast and 2am inland, although winds still hit 80 kilometres per hour in Sundayn.
The storm itself caused damage to many cities, especially those on the western coast, such as Pee, Stiven, Seldon and Byzvild. Cities further inland across the Stanmer plains were also badly hit by the storm, while large amounts of rain fell on the higher ground southern Bajre and Nevel. Significant structural damage was caused as far inland as Lyksdal, although the Slic Mountains prevented it from reaching Vlud or areas to their east. A few trees fell in Lorence, causing some damage, while similar effects occured in Jesel.
The storm in Luziyca
On Sept 2nd, the storm, known as Hurricane Maorder struck Inleda in Jerusalem, destroying infrastructure. The front hit land at 2:20 am at Jerusalem harbor, and countless trees fell. By 6:00 am, flooding occurred, and classes were cancelled. Countless trees fell, and winds were around 240 km/h.
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Effects
Much infrastructure, including Vyvland's extensive rail network, was badly damaged, resulting in the cancellation of many services for weeks to come after the storm. In some cases, tracks were not cleared until November due to the sheer extent of the damage, and many twisted or broken tracks needed replacing. The last section of damaged line was reopened over four months after the storm, on the 9th January 1994.
The effects of the flooding were also severe. Towns along major rivers, especially the Rivers Fule, Ryzer and Stanmer, were worst hit, with floodwaters reaching 6 metres above normal ground level on the outskirts of low-lying Nyfamton. Flash flooding in smaller and higher river valleys also occurred, with the most destructive example occurring in Elder, Bajre, where 15 buildings, including a 17th-century mill, were washed away.
Vyvlanders were advised not to travel on the 30th, which was a Monday. Many schools were due to start on the 30th, however in the provinces of Stanmer, Bajre, Nevel, Deg and Seerm, students were ordered to stay away from school until Thursday, the 2nd September. A 1994 study by the University of Stiven suggested that Vyvland's economy lost µ3.6bn, both through damages and through the cost of time off work by those affected.
Twelve people were confirmed to have died as a direct result of the storm. Three of the deaths were in the Oberaas family, whose roof at their house in Oylkenels collapsed. Two were from drowning after flash floods, while other deaths occurred due to structural collapses or traffic accidents, despite warnings to keep off the roads during the storm.
The storm also had political effects in Vyvland. The government at the time, led by the Conservative Party, proved only mildly effective in reforming infrastructure, while a series of comments by various prominent Socialist figures about the damage, including leader Albrekt Engk-Berelmaan's now-infamous comment that the storm only hit "inbred peasants in mud huts", which has since become a perjorative way to refer to rural people in Vyvland, especially in the west. The storm is therefore seen as a major factor for the surprise Liberal victory in the 1993 election.