Μake us preferred on Google Severe weather has caused extensive flooding, overflowing streams and power outages in southern Pelion, central Greece, leaving residents stranded and prompting an emergency response. Although rainfall has gradually eased, the villages of Platanias, Milina and Horto have suffered significant damage, with firefighters, rescue teams and local authorities working to assist residents and address the flooding.
The storm has also caused problems on the islands of Skiathos and Evia, where authorities have reported dangerous conditions, road closures and damage from falling trees and landslides.
Rescue teams evacuate residents in Platanias
In Platanias, hours of heavy rainfall caused the Chalorema stream to rise dangerously, while three streams overflowed and turned roads leading to the village’s small harbor into torrents. The flooding effectively split the settlement in two, leaving around 50 residents cut off and unable to travel, according to local news outlet Thesspost.
A team from Greece’s Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), equipped with a rescue boat, was deployed to help evacuate stranded residents.
An elderly man was injured by a drainage opening during the flooding and had to be transported by boat from the isolated part of the village to receive first aid.
Rescuers also reached an elderly woman who had been alone in her home near the Chalorema stream. When floodwater in her yard rose above one meter (3.3 feet), her son was unable to open the door to reach her. Firefighters from the Argalasti station and municipal officials eventually gained access to the house and found her safe on the upper floor.
Flooding has also been reported at two other homes and a business in Platanias.
Mayor compares rainfall to deadly Storm Daniel
South Pelion Mayor Michalis Mitzikos, who was also stranded in Platanias during the worst of the flooding, said the volume of water was comparable to that produced by Storm Daniel in 2023, which caused catastrophic damage in Greece.
He said no engineering project could have contained such a large volume of water. Authorities were making every effort to help people trapped by the floods while waiting for water levels to recede.
Mitzikos identified the complete destruction of the two wells supplying water to the area as the most serious problem.
Homes and roads flooded in Milina and Horto
The village of Milina was also badly affected, with large volumes of water covering roads and seawater reaching inland. Overflowing streams carried stones and tree trunks onto the road, disrupting traffic on the main route toward Trikeri. The lack of sufficient drainage further contributed to rising water levels.
In Horto, the main road became a river as water levels rose around a bridge. Strong winds and heavy waves worsened conditions, while floodwater entered homes, businesses and agricultural land. Firefighters carried out repeated pumping operations to remove water from affected properties.
Power outages added to the disruption. In Sykí, a poplar tree fell onto a power pole, leaving the village without electricity. The nearby area of Afissos also remained without power.
Landslide and storm damage reported on Evia
The severe weather also caused damage on the island of Evia. A landslide on Wednesday, October 28, covered part of the old provincial road in Oxylithos with large amounts of soil and rocks, while the entrance to a home was blocked.
In the town of Limni, strong winds brought down a tree onto graves in the local cemetery, causing significant material damage.
Skiathos village faces risk of stream overflow
Authorities and residents were also concerned about rising water levels in a stream near Platanias on the island of Skiathos. Heavy rainfall had pushed the water close to its limits, raising fears that the stream could overflow if the downpour continued.
The road leading to the area was closed because conditions made it dangerous for vehicles to pass, according to local outlet Skiathoslife.
Residents were urged to avoid traveling to the area, stay away from flooded sections of road and follow instructions from the authorities.
