Greece is experiencing another round of severe storms and widespread flooding after intense, torrential rain hit several regions on Sunday. The deluge transformed streets into fast-moving rivers, causing damage to homes and vehicles across the country.
The Ionian coast and Epirus were the most affected areas, with particularly heavy rainfall reported in Preveza, Corfu, and Filippiada. Residents in these locations dealt with prolonged thunder and lightning, which resulted in submerged roads and necessitated significant response efforts from local authorities.
Key incidents and damage
Preveza: The city’s drainage systems were overwhelmed, leading to rapid street flooding. The Fire Service responded to numerous calls, mainly to pump water from basements. Emergency crews also removed fallen trees, and heavy machinery was used in Filippiada to reopen the main road, which had become impassable.
Corfu: A wall in the Padova area collapsed due to the storm, crushing parked cars beneath the debris.
Thessaloniki: The country’s second-largest city saw two separate incidents early Monday where fallen trees damaged parked cars, though no injuries were reported.
Weather outlook and warnings
Meteorologists have cautioned the public to remain vigilant, as rain and thunderstorms are forecast to persist through Monday afternoon.
According to the National Observatory of Athens (Meteo), the active weather front continues to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms, and potential hail to western and northern Greece.
The event has been classified as Level 3 (Significant) on the Regional Precipitation Index, indicating a risk of localized flooding and infrastructure damage.
Intense storms, potentially including short but severe hailstorms, are expected in Epirus, the Ionian Islands, Western Greece, Macedonia, and Thrace.