Greece – Floods Cause Extensive Damage and Leave At Least 4 Dead

by in Europe, News

At least 4 people have died after heavy rain overnight between 06 and 07 September caused severe flooding in several areas of Greece. Heavy rain has also been reported in Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.

Three of the fatalities occurred in the city of Kalamata, and nearby villages of Thouria and Pidima in the Messinia regional unit. The fourth victim died after drowning in flood waters near Lakonia, also in Messinia.

Local media say that the flood water was up to 2 metres deep in some places, causing problems for emergency services in attempts to reach affected communities. Unconfirmed reports say that as much as 140mm of rain fell in a few hours from around 04:00 early 07 September, 2016.

Roads suffered severe damage and the main highway between Kalamata and Athens blocked. Hundreds of homes have also been damaged and numerous vehicles swept away by the flood waters. Kalamata Mayor Panagiotis Nikas told Reuters news agency that he had “never seen anything like it”.

Flooding was also reported in areas around the northern city of Thessaloniki and the Thermaikos regional unit. At least one person is reported as missing in the floods. Greek TV showed cars washed out to sea or piled up from torrential rain.

Rainfall

Greece was not the only country in the region to record heavy rainfall. Several areas of Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania recorded more than 50mm in a 24 hour period between 06 and 07 September. As of yet, no flooding has been reported in these countries.

Over 20 people died in August this year after floods in Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia.

Greece

Thessaloniki (airport) – 54.8 mm
Aktion (airport) – 60.1 mm
Kerkyra (airport) – 70.5 mm
Andravida (airport) – 68.3 mm

Montenegro

Podgorica-Grad – 100.3 mm

Macedonia

Lazaropole – 54 mm
Bitola – 68 mm
Topolcani-PGC – 53.3 mm
Mavrovo – 115 mm
Pozarane-PGC – 57 mm
Gevgelija- 73 mm

Albania

Korca – 76 mm

Social Media