File photo. [AP]
The fire service received more than 1,100 calls between Wednesday and Thursday afternoon as Storm Erminio continued to sweep across much of Greece, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and widespread disruption, largely from trees toppled by strong winds.
The storm has claimed one life – a man found under a car overnight in Nea Makri, east of Athens, after being swept away by floodwaters.
Most calls were from the greater Athens area, primarily for water pumping operations, with additional calls for fallen trees and evacuations. Also, schools remained closed in several parts of the country Thursday.
According to the Greek meteorological service (EMY), the severe weather is expected to begin easing on Friday, although unsettled conditions will persist in some regions.
Rain and sporadic thunderstorms are forecast for western and southern Peloponnese, the Eastern Aegean islands, the Cyclades, the Dodecanese, and Crete, gradually weakening later in the day. Winds will shift to northerly directions, with temperatures rising slightly compared with Thursday.