At least nine people have been confirmed dead after flash floods swept through Odesa, Ukraine, following unprecedented rainfall that struck the region on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Authorities said hundreds were rescued while thousands remained without electricity after heavy downpours triggered widespread flooding.
Ukraine’s emergency services reported that among the victims was a family of five, including a child, who were trapped in their lower-ground-floor apartment as floodwaters surged through their building. Three other women also lost their lives after being swept away while walking along a road.
“A horrific situation in Odesa these days – nine people have died as a result of the natural disaster, including a child,” President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote on the X platform, adding that the whereabouts of one person remained unconfirmed.
Emergency workers, numbering more than 500, toiled overnight to rescue 362 people and pump water from inundated buildings. Images shared by officials showed stranded passengers being evacuated from a flooded bus and vehicles submerged in water.
Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov described the flooding as catastrophic, noting that “in just seven hours, almost two months’ worth of rain fell in Odesa. No stormwater drainage system can withstand such a load.”
The region continued to suffer under torrential rainfall for a second consecutive day, according to Governor Oleh Kiper. Roads have been blocked, power lines brought down, and property damaged, leaving at least 42,000 customers in 32 villages and towns without electricity.
President Zelenskiy has instructed his deputy prime minister to conduct a comprehensive review of emergency operations in Odesa, emphasizing the need for improved disaster preparedness and response.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities warn that further rainfall could worsen conditions, urging residents to remain cautious and avoid flooded areas.
The tragedy underscores the growing threat of extreme weather events in Ukraine, leaving families devastated and communities struggling to rebuild.
