Ferocious storms have hit several Greek islands for the second consecutive day, causing significant damage and chaos. The island of Crete has been particularly hard-hit, experiencing the heaviest rainfall and severe flooding. Cars were swept into the sea, and many homes and businesses were inundated with water and mud.
On Tuesday, emergency crews worked tirelessly on the islands of Paros and Mykonos, clearing overturned vehicles and debris left by hailstorms and heavy rain. The storms have prompted local authorities to request government assistance to address the extensive damage to roads and infrastructure.
In Crete, rescue teams managed to free seven individuals trapped in vehicles caught in rising floodwaters. The bad weather led to rockslides and road closures, particularly as the storms moved southeast overnight. The National Observatory of Athens reported that the most rainfall in the past 24 hours occurred near Chania, a port city in Crete.
Rhodes also faced strong winds that toppled trees and damaged cars. In response to the severe weather, schools were closed as a precaution on several islands, including Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Symi, and Tilos.
These storms have mainly affected the Cyclades islands, a popular tourist destination known for their stunning beaches and charming whitewashed buildings. This weather event comes shortly after a rare earthquake swarm forced thousands to evacuate from Santorini and nearby islands like Ios, Amorgos, and Anafi.
As the situation unfolds, residents and officials are working together to recover from the storms’ impact and restore normalcy to these beautiful islands.