Severe storms to hit Greece through Tuesday
Greece faced a deterioration in weather conditions from the early hours of Monday through Tuesday, Oct. 27, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast across several regions, particularly in the east, according to an emergency bulletin issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY).
The storms could also bring localized hail, prompting civil protection authorities and fire services to increase their readiness and urge residents to take precautions against flooding and other severe weather hazards.
Several regions on alert
On Monday, heavy rain and thunderstorms were forecast in eastern Central Greece, particularly in the regional units of Fthiotida and Viotia, through the morning.
Attica was expected to experience severe weather until midday and again during the evening, while parts of Thessaly, particularly Magnesia and Larissa, were forecast to remain affected until late in the day.
The Sporades islands and Evia were also included in the warning, along with the Dodecanese from late morning until late evening. The eastern Aegean islands were expected to be affected from midday.
On Tuesday, the storms were forecast to continue in the Sporades and Evia until midday, while the eastern Aegean islands could experience severe weather until late afternoon. The Dodecanese were expected to be affected from midday, and rainfall and thunderstorms in Attica were forecast to persist through the morning.
Emergency services increase readiness
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection said it had notified the relevant state agencies, regional authorities and municipalities to ensure they were prepared to respond promptly to the effects of the severe weather.
The Fire Service activated its operational plan for flood risks and related phenomena, placing services in areas expected to be affected on heightened alert, with further escalation possible if necessary.
Authorities urged residents to secure outdoor objects that could be blown away or cause injuries, check that gutters and drainage systems were clear, and follow instructions issued by local authorities and the police.
People were also advised to avoid crossing streams and flooded roads on foot or by vehicle during heavy rainfall and for several hours afterward.
Outdoor work and activities in coastal and marine areas should be avoided during thunderstorms because of the risk of lightning strikes.
Civil protection issues safety advice
Authorities urged people to seek shelter immediately during hailstorms, remaining inside a building or vehicle until the storm had passed. Residents were also advised to avoid large trees, suspended signs and balconies where loose objects or broken glass could fall.
During periods of intense lightning, people indoors should avoid handling electrical appliances or wired telephones, disconnect televisions from their antennas and power supplies where safe, and avoid contact with plumbing.
Motorists were advised to stop in a safe location away from trees that could fall, close their windows, activate hazard lights and remain inside their vehicles until conditions improved. Driving through flooded roads should be avoided.
People caught outdoors should seek shelter in a building or vehicle. If neither is available, they should move away from water, isolated tall trees, power lines, metal objects and low-lying areas vulnerable to flooding. Anyone in the sea should leave the water immediately.
Residents urged to follow official updates
The National Meteorological Service advised residents to monitor its regular weather bulletins for updates on the storm system.
Information on road conditions and closures caused by flooding was available through the Hellenic Police website, while additional safety guidance was provided by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
Authorities stressed the importance of following official instructions as the severe weather system continued to affect parts of the country through Tuesday.
Source:AMNA
