July the 27th, 2026 – The sea has created floods in Stari Grad on the island of Hvar for the third time in just 10 days due to repeated meteotsunamis.
Index reports that visitors and residents of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar have once again found themselves dealing with flooded streets after the sea overflowed onto the town’s waterfront, marking the third such event in just ten days. The repeated flooding has drawn attention to increasingly unusual sea level fluctuations affecting parts of Croatia’s coastline and islands.
Videos shared by residents showed seawater spilling over the promenade and into the historic centre, covering streets and public spaces before gradually receding. Although the flooding caused disruption, there were no reports of serious injuries or major structural damage.
According to meteorologists, the flooding was not caused by rainfall but by a combination of low atmospheric pressure, strong southerly winds and elevated sea levels. These conditions created what is known as a storm surge, pushing large volumes of seawater onto the shoreline and into low-lying coastal areas.
The phenomenon has affected Stari Grad several times over the past two weeks, with each event occurring under similar weather conditions. Locals say the repeated flooding has become a growing concern, particularly for businesses and residents along the waterfront who have had to repeatedly clear seawater from their properties.
Experts note that enclosed bays and historic harbour towns such as Stari Grad are especially vulnerable to this type of coastal flooding. When strong winds coincide with low air pressure, sea levels can temporarily rise enough to overwhelm quays, promenades and streets built just above normal sea level.
As weather conditions improved, the seawater gradually retreated and life returned to normal. However, the latest flooding serves as another reminder of how quickly changing weather patterns can impact Croatia’s coastal communities, with residents hoping calmer conditions will prevent another repeat in the coming days.
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