Severe weather sweeping across western Greece has caused widespread destruction, major flooding, and at least one death, as authorities carry out rescues, close roads, and warn residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
A man was found dead in the city of Komotini after he was swept away while trying to cross a low-water crossing during heavy rain. Fire service crews had been searching for him after witnesses said he attempted to pass through the crossing Thursday morning and was carried off by the swollen river.
The storm system moved across the country from the west, with the Ionian Sea region among the hardest hit. Authorities reported flooding, fallen trees, power outages, and water supply disruptions in several areas.
In the municipality of Pyrgos in western Greece, heavy rainfall flooded homes and streets, prompting emergency operations. Firefighters pumped water from houses and helped remove residents from flooded properties to keep them safe. Police closed a flooded road in the city, while services remained on alert as the storm continued.
Local officials ordered all schools, daycare centers, and after-school facilities in Pyrgos to remain closed due to dangerous conditions and damage to infrastructure and the road network. Municipal authorities urged residents to limit movement and follow civil protection guidance.
A landslide and partial bridge collapse damaged a central water pipeline near Ancient Olympia, cutting off water supply to both Pyrgos and the nearby area. Repair crews, engineers, and water facility staff are working at the site, but officials say restoration will not be immediate.
The mayor of Pyrgos said the extreme weather caused significant problems in both the city and surrounding villages, including the precautionary evacuation of three schools in a flood-prone area. He added that municipal services responded quickly and that the municipality will request to be officially declared a disaster area. Officials are also monitoring the risk of further flooding and possible overflow of a nearby river.
Weather data from the National Observatory’s monitoring network showed very high rainfall totals by Thursday evening, with the highest reading—114 millimeters—recorded in the western Peloponnese. Rainfall was reported across most of the country.
On the island of Corfu, powerful winds caused serious damage, and a tornado struck a village, damaging businesses and knocking down trees that blocked roads. On the island of Kefalonia, streets turned into rivers, and residents and business owners worked to keep floodwaters out of buildings.
Flooding also inundated roads in the northern city of Xanthi, leaving vehicles stranded.
Further south, severe weather hit parts of Laconia, where torrents of water rushed through villages, causing extensive damage. In several communities, flooding created problems in drainage systems and across the road network.
In the municipality of Evrotas, rising water levels in streams forced authorities to halt traffic on multiple roads. Civil protection teams placed warning cones and took safety measures to protect residents.
Authorities say the dangerous weather remains in progress and continue to call on the public to exercise caution.
