Terrifying scenes depict roads transformed into rapid rivers and vehicles swept away in flooding as authorities in the Greek islands of Rhodes and Lemnos declared a state of emergency following the landfall of Storm Byron. The extreme weather conditions have now extended throughout the country, with the southern and eastern regions being the hardest hit.
Several regions, including Attica, Central Macedonia, Thessaly, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Ionian Islands, North Aegean, South Aegean, and Crete, are currently under maximum alert due to the severe weather. Emergency teams, along with military and local authorities, have been conducting rescue operations for elderly residents in areas affected by floods, where strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused significant damage.
The impact of Storm Byron has resulted in two fatalities in a flooded village on Lemnos, prompting the evacuation of numerous individuals to hotels in the main port of the island. Vassilis Kikilias, the minister for climate crisis and civil protection, has emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders issued via cellphone alerts to prevent potential tragedies.
Schools in Rhodes have been closed due to the severe storms, and officials are advising against unnecessary travel as the heavy rainfall is expected to persist. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service has warned that the worst of the storm is affecting the eastern and southern regions of the country, with strong winds anticipated in the southeastern Aegean.
Meteorologists predict continued heavy rains and storms in the eastern and southern parts of Greece until Saturday, with the possibility of hail and strong winds in various areas. The storm’s impact is causing devastation in Athens, leading to the closure of schools on multiple islands and disruptions to transportation routes due to flooding and falling rocks.
The storm’s effects are also being felt in other parts of the country, with forecasts suggesting significant amounts of rainfall that could result in extensive damage to urban and rural areas.