CLOSE
Loading...
12° Nicosia,
02 April, 2025
 
Home  /  News

Severe storms batter Cyclades, Athens braces for impact

Floodwaters, landslides, and hailstorms wreak havoc across Greece

Newsroom

A fierce storm has swept across Greece, leaving parts of the Cyclades Islands underwater and causing chaos in several regions. Paros and Mykonos were hit especially hard, with heavy rainfall turning roads into rivers, damaging homes, and sweeping away vehicles. As the storm pushes east, Athens and surrounding areas are on high alert for what’s coming next.

Paros Faces the Worst of the Storm

The island of Paros took a direct hit, with relentless rain overwhelming streets in Naoussa and nearby areas. Water surged through the town, dragging cars into the sea and triggering landslides that cut off major roads. Mayor Kostas Bizas described the situation as critical, saying emergency crews were working to rescue stranded drivers and clear debris.

Authorities have ordered schools to remain closed, and Greece’s emergency alert system (112) has warned residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary.

Mykonos and Syros Also Struggle

Mykonos also saw extreme flooding, with nearly 72 mm of rain recorded in just a few hours. The island’s famous Chora district, usually filled with tourists, was left almost unrecognizable as water poured through the streets. Schools on Mykonos, as well as on Rhodes and Symi, will stay closed on Tuesday as officials assess the damage.

On Syros, the storm brought heavy hail, adding to the destruction and making conditions even more dangerous.

Flooding and Hailstorms Hit Mainland Greece

The storm wasn’t limited to the islands. In Central Greece, Livadeia was overwhelmed by floodwaters, while the Corinth-Tripoli highway near Ancient Nemea was briefly transformed into a winter scene as hail covered the road in a thick layer of white. Other islands, including Thasos, Tinos, and Skopelos, also suffered from flash flooding and landslides.

Athens Braces for Heavy Rain

Now, all eyes are on Attica, where meteorologists warn that intense rainfall could lead to more flooding overnight into Tuesday. The National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued an emergency bulletin, warning of severe weather for Athens, the Cyclades, Thessaly, Evia, and parts of the Dodecanese.

Emergency Crews Mobilize

Firefighters and emergency teams are already responding to dozens of calls for water pumping and assistance. Additional teams from Athens and Naxos are heading to Paros to help with recovery efforts.

Officials are urging residents across Greece to take precautions, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated as the storm continues. While some areas are already beginning to recover, others are still bracing for nature’s next move.

*With information from Greek City Times

TAGS
Cyprus  |  Greece  |  storms  |  weather

News: Latest Articles

X