A powerful storm bringing heavy rainfall and hail caused significant disruption in Sparta, southern Greece, early Monday morning, flooding parts of the city and forcing authorities to close schools across the municipality.
The extreme weather struck shortly after dawn, overwhelming drainage systems and leading to numerous reports of flooded homes and basements, particularly in residential areas near the city. Emergency services received a high volume of calls as water entered properties and roads became impassable.
Emergency Response and Public Safety Measures
Civil Protection teams were deployed alongside the fire service and police, assisting with water removal, traffic control, and public safety operations. Local authorities urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and follow official instructions due to ongoing flood risks.
In a public statement, the municipality warned that the intensity of the weather and the scale of flooding posed dangers to motorists and pedestrians alike. Traffic police diverted vehicles at multiple points along the main road connecting Sparta with the nearby coastal area, where flooding had submerged sections of the roadway.
Schools Closed Across the Municipality
The mayor announced early in the morning that all schools within the municipality would remain closed for the day, citing unsafe travel conditions for students. Families were advised to coordinate directly with school administrators if students had already arrived in the city.
Officials clarified that the school closures applied only to Sparta, while neighboring municipalities were not affected by the storm and continued normal operations.
