Civil Protection: recommendations to citizens in view of the worsening weather

Recommendations to citizens to be particularly careful, ensuring that they take measures for self-protection from risks arising from the occurrence of severe weather, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection addresses in view of the temporary deterioration of the from tonight (09-01-2023) until the midday hours of Wednesday.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, thunderstorms or gusty winds are predicted, the GIS recommends that citizens:

• Secure objects that could cause damage or injury if swept away by severe weather conditions.

• Ensure that the gutters and downspouts of residences are not blocked and are functioning properly.

• Avoid crossing streams and creeks, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, as well as for several hours after they have ended.

• Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).

• Take immediate shelter during a hailstorm. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until you are sure that the storm has passed. Hailstorms can also be very dangerous for animals.

• Avoid walking under large trees, hanging signs, and generally areas where light objects (e.g., flower pots, broken glass, etc.) may become detached and fall to the ground (e.g., under balconies).

• Follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as the traffic police, etc., to the letter.

Also, in areas with intense lightning activity:

If you are at home

• Do not hold electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can pass through the cables. Disconnect television sets from the antenna and the power supply.

• Avoid touching plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.

If you are in the car

• Park it at the side of the road and away from trees that could fall on it.

• Stay inside and turn on your hazard lights (emergency lights) until the storm passes.

• Close the windows and do not lean on metal objects.

• Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outdoors

• Take refuge in a building or car, otherwise sit immediately on the ground without lying down.

• Take shelter under solid branches of low trees if you are in a forest.

• Never take shelter under a tall tree in an open area.

• Avoid low-lying areas due to the risk of flooding.

• Do not stand next to utility poles, power lines, telephone lines, or fences.

• Do not approach metal objects (e.g., cars, bicycles, camping equipment, etc.).

• Stay away from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.

• If you are in the sea, get out immediately.

• If you find yourself isolated on flat ground and feel your hair standing on end (which indicates that lightning is about to strike), sit down with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface area and contact with the ground) and throw away any metal objects you have on you.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has informed the relevant government departments involved, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, in order to be in increased readiness for civil protection, in order to deal immediately with the effects of the onset of severe weather phenomena.

At the same time, the operational plan for dealing with the risks of flooding, as well as the accompanying phenomena, is being implemented, while the Fire Services of the areas where the phenomena are expected to occur have been put in a state of increased readiness and further escalation if required, in order to deal immediately with any problems.

For information and announcements regarding the current situation and the passability of the road network due to flooding, citizens can visit the Hellenic Police website at www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and instructions on how to protect themselves from severe weather conditions, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.

It is noted that according to the Emergency Weather Bulletin issued today by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the weather in our country is expected to deteriorate temporarily from tonight (09-01-2023) until the midday hours of Wednesday (11-01-2023) with heavy rains and thunderstorms, mainly in the marine and coastal areas, accompanied by a high frequency of lightning, hail in some places and gusty winds of 8 and locally 9 Beaufort in the sea.

Citizens can be informed daily about the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather bulletins of the National Weather Service and on the website of the National Weather Service at www.emy.gr.