Worsening weather conditions with heavy rain and storms

The weather will worsen from Thursday evening until Saturday morning (September 3) with heavy rain and storms in northern Greece, accompanied by frequent lightning, hailstorms, and, temporarily, during the phenomena, strong gusty winds.

More specifically, According to an emergency weather report issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY):

Today Friday, the severe weather will affect Macedonia, Thessaly from midday, and the northern Ionian Sea and Epirus until late afternoon. On the morning of Saturday (3/9) Heavy rain and storms will be limited to central and eastern Macedonia, eastern Thessaly, the Sporades, the northern Aegean, and Thrace, and will quickly subside.

Recommendations of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection to citizens 

Recommendations to citizens to be particularly cautious, taking measures to protect themselves from the dangers posed by severe weather conditions, in view of the deterioration in the weather.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, storms, or strong winds are forecast, the GSCP 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.

Furthermore, according to the Fire Department, the operational plan for dealing with the risks posed by flooding and related phenomena is being implemented, while the Fire Departments in the areas where the phenomena are expected to occur have been placed on high alert and will be further escalated if necessary in order to deal with any problems immediately.

At the same time, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has informed the relevant state services involved, as well as the country's regions and municipalities, to be on high alert for civil protection, in order to immediately address the effects of severe weather events.

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.