Heavy rainfall and severe flooding struck central Greece, particularly the Pelion peninsula in Thessaly, interrupting water and electricity supplies in some places and leaving numerous roads impassable, Novinky reported.
Platania sustains most significant flooding
The coastal village of Platania sustained the most significant flooding. Rushing currents poured through streets, swept objects out to sea, and surged out of residential buildings, as documented in footage from Reuters. A swollen stream also cut off a portion of the village from the surrounding area. Torrential rains triggered floods and landslides on the island of Skiathos in the Northern Sporades archipelago. Police temporarily closed roads leading to local resorts, while other routes remained impassable due to structural damage.
Red Weather Alerts Issued Across Multiple Regions
Muddy water surged through streets on the island of Symi in the Dodecanese archipelago, located near the Turkish coast. On Wednesday, authorities maintained the highest red weather alert for dangerous conditions across Thessaly, Euboea, the Sporades, and the Dodecanese.
A low-pressure system stalled over Greece and the Aegean Sea drove the severe rainfall. According to the National Observatory in Athens, precipitation totals exceeded 100 millimeters in 24 hours across parts of central Greece and the Sporades. In the mountain village of Setta on Euboea, rainfall reached 408 millimeters over a five-day period.
Terrain Amplifies Rainfall Intensity
Rugged coastal topography likely intensified downpours in certain areas, as moist air moving in from the sea rose rapidly along mountain slopes. During heavy rains, water runs off short, steep catchments toward the coast at high speeds, which can generate flash floods.
These events mark the second major flood sequence to strike Greece within a few weeks. Severe storms and heavy rains hit the country in mid-October, causing the greatest damage on the islands of Rhodes, Euboea, and Skiathos. The flooding on Rhodes resulted in one fatality.
Weather conditions gradually improve across Greece
Weather conditions across Greece gradually improved on Thursday following the severe storms. However, meteorological data indicates this relief will be temporary. A new low-pressure system is expected to form over southern Italy starting Saturday and subsequently impact Greece, bringing renewed heavy downpours and an elevated risk of local flooding.
Setta records highest rainfall total during storm
Which areas experienced the highest rainfall totals during the storm?
The mountain village of Setta on the island of Euboea recorded the highest cumulative total, receiving 408 millimeters of rainfall over a five-day period, according to the National Observatory in Athens.
How many major flood events have affected Greece recently?
The severe weather on Wednesday marked the second major flood event to impact the country within a few weeks, following severe storms and heavy rains in mid-October that caused significant damage on Rhodes, Euboea, and Skiathos.
When is the next weather system expected to affect the region?
Meteorologists tracking the system report that a new low-pressure area is forecast to form over southern Italy starting Saturday, bringing fresh downpours and renewed flood risks to Greece.