Storms flood homes and roads across Greece, disrupt ferries
Severe storms brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and gale-force winds to several parts of Greece on Wednesday, flooding homes and roads, damaging businesses and disrupting ferry services as authorities remained on high alert.
On the island of Skiathos, floodwaters swept away two parked cars, inundated roads and shops, and damaged homes and businesses, Mayor Thodoris Tzoumas said. The municipality plans to request that the island be declared a state of emergency.
An emergency alert sent to residents early Wednesday urged people to limit travel to essential journeys.
Emergency crews respond to flooding and fallen trees
The fire service received 38 calls in the Athens region between late Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday, carrying out nine water-pumping operations and removing 15 fallen trees.
On the nearby island of Evia, authorities received 20 calls, removed 19 fallen trees and cleared a blocked road.
Schools and childcare centres were closed on Wednesday across the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups, as well as on Evia, Skiathos and Skopelos, amid concerns over hazardous conditions.
Heavy rain and winds threaten multiple regions
Greece’s national weather service forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across much of the country, with isolated hail possible, particularly in coastal and maritime areas.
Regions expected to face the most severe conditions included Evia, the northeastern Peloponnese, eastern Central Greece, including Athens, Halkidiki, the Sporades islands, Crete and the Dodecanese.
Northeasterly winds in the northern Aegean were forecast to reach 62-74 kilometres per hour, while northerly winds elsewhere in the Aegean and eastern mainland Greece were expected to reach 49-74 kph.
Wind gusts could reach 90-100 kph or higher before conditions ease slightly in the afternoon.
Ferry services suspended as authorities issue warnings
Ferry departures from the ports of Piraeus and Lavrio were suspended because of the severe weather. Morning sailings from Rafina were expected to operate normally.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection urged residents in affected areas to follow official instructions and take precautions against flooding, strong winds and other weather-related hazards.
Temperatures were forecast to reach 16-18 degrees Celsius in central and northern mainland Greece and 19-22 degrees elsewhere, rising to 23-24 degrees in western mainland areas and the Dodecanese. In Athens, temperatures were expected to range from 14 to 19 degrees Celsius.
Authorities continued to monitor conditions as heavy rain and strong winds threatened further disruption across the country.
