Bad weather has affected a large area of Greece since Saturday morning. Storm Ciaran has caused disruption in several regions of the country with rain and strong winds.
Storm Ciaran hammers Greece
Greece has been encountering severe weather conditions that are causing widespread destruction. After making its way through Europe, storm Ciaran has been battering the country since Friday night.
The most severe problems are occurring in Western Greece, primarily in the wider region of Epirus, and across the Aegean Sea. Athens and Piraeus port have been affected as well.
Landslides and fallen trees
The island of Corfu is currently at risk of landslides due to continuous rainfall and strong winds. Authorities are on standby, and have warned citizens to stay alert.
The mountainous provincial network in the Prefecture of Ioannina, specifically in Tzoumerka, Konitsa, and Pogoni, witnessed large landslides. Large branches were broken by the strong winds, and this has caused extensive damage to streets and parked cars.
Villages of the Kalambaka area, close to the Meteora Monasteries, were cut off due to the bad weather conditions.
A section of the Florina-Kastoria road collapsed, due to which a warning sign has been placed to caution drivers.
Finally, the northern city of Xanthi was hit hard, with numerous fallen trees, overturned vehicles, and torn-off roof tiles. A tornado even appeared, crossing a small section of Xanthi.
Transportation disruptions in Greece
The adverse weather has disrupted transportation across the country. The IC51 train service from Thessaloniki to Athens was halted due to fallen trees on the line, leading to power outages and traffic delays.
Road networks are also severely affected. Traffic to Patras was diverted due to a landslide on the Patras-Athens highway. Efforts are underway to restore vehicle traffic safely, but multiple sections of the road network remain closed due to landslides.
Ferry routes affected
The harsh weather also had a significant impact on sea travel. High winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort in the Aegean Sea have led to wave height of over 4 meters, and various sailing bans.
Most ferry routes from Piraeus to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese are running as normal. A few conventional ferries to / from the Saronic islands are running, while all sea dolphins remain docked at the port.
Due to the ongoing bad weather, ferries in Rafina and Lavrio remain tied up.
Citizens and tourists are advised to keep in touch with local authorities and tourist agencies for any changes to travel schedules.
Weather expected to improve on Sunday
An improvement in weather conditions is expected from Saturday night. On Sunday, the weather will get better in most parts of the country, albeit with a temperature drop.
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Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens, and I share news and guides about Greece on my blog. Follow me on Facebook for more Greece-related inspiration and travel tips!