5 things to watch out for in Kythera during bad weather

In the last few days the Kythera have been affected by severe weather phenomena, with the main feature being gale force winds of up to 8 Beaufort.

In this article, we will look at 5 ways to safely manage such situations, which will minimize the chances of unpleasant surprises that can endanger our health and physical integrity.

1. Drive carefully

The strong winds that have been blowing on the island for the last few days have created serious problems on the road network. There have been recorded tree falls, small rocks detached and ended up on the roadway, and we had the incident in Piso Gialos, with a municipal garbage truck being immobilized due to the retreat of the road surface from erosion caused by high sea levels. For these reasons, it is advisable to be particularly careful when driving.

2. Avoid manual work in the countryside

When we have such strong winds blowing on the island, any outdoor work becomes unsafe. Don't overestimate your strengths, anything that is considered (and considered) routine on a common day is automatically upgraded on the danger scale due to the high winds.

3. We make sure to secure all our personal belongings in time

Recently, an incident was recorded of a young man, who, in his attempt to pick up the hammock from the roof of his house, was injured (fortunately slightly) when, due to the strong wind, he could not control it and it hit him. Anything lacking a firm base on the perimeter of the house is a danger, not only to us but also to public safety (risk of injury to passers-by, causing a short circuit in the power lines, or damage to someone else's property).

4. We restrict walking within the built-up area

Days when the wind is raging are not suitable for a walk in the settlement, whether it is a town or a village. Precisely because someone may have neglected to secure objects inside their home (as we have seen above) or simply because the force of the wind can carry away materials of houses that, due to their age, have lost their stability, there is a risk of unwanted landings of all kinds of objects on our heads, with unforeseen consequences.

5. Foresight and information, our two allies

«The children of the caring, before they are hungry, they cook», a very useful proverb tells us. In this case, this translates into constant information from the media and the Internet on the development of weather phenomena, so that we know at all times how to plan our day. In addition, it is essential to know the contact numbers for basic emergency services such as the police, fire brigade and ambulance. Finally, it is advisable to have the necessary essentials stocked in advance and, in addition, for all family members to be aware of the necessary actions to take in an emergency, such as using a fire extinguisher and turning off water, electricity and gas supplies.

In any case, it is recommended to visit the website of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, where we can get a comprehensive information on cases of extreme weather events and how to respond to the conditions they create.