Extensive damage to crops in the wider Feres area of Evros, in northeastern Greece, was caused by severe weather that swept through the region on Wednesday, July 22, according to the Alexandroupoli Agricultural Association.

In a post on its Facebook page, the association said initial estimates indicate that thousands of acres of farmland have suffered significant losses.

Powerful winds, combined with sudden and intense hail in the afternoon, battered fields of cotton, corn, alfalfa, seed crops, vegetables and beans. Extensive damage was also reported to tree crops, particularly walnut orchards.

The association informed farmers that a team from the Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA) will visit the affected areas on Thursday morning to assess the damage and begin the necessary compensation procedures.

Severe weather also affected other parts of the Evros regional unit from Wednesday afternoon, including Orestiada and the island of Samothraki. However, no significant damage had been reported in those areas so far.