The severe weather event “Bora,” which has been affecting multiple regions in Greece since late Friday night, is expected to persist through Thuesday morning.
Schools closure in Rhodes, Halkidiki, Florina and Thessaloniki
On Sunday, Rhodes was placed on high alert, prompting authorities to close all schools on the island on Monday. Schools in Halkidiki and Thessaloniki will also remain closed on Monday due to adverse weather conditions. Specifically, closures will impact the municipalities of Pylaia-Chortiatis, Kassandra, Polygyros, Pavlos Melas, and Kalamaria. Due to severe weather conditions affecting much of the Florina regional unit, schools in the Municipality of Florina will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. However, kindergartens will operate as usual.
In the Municipality of Prespes, schools will also remain closed, while the local kindergarten will remain open.
Extensive Damage on Rhodes
Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis and South Aegean Regional Governor George Hatzimarkos urged residents on Sunday to stay indoors for safety. Hatzimarkos described the damage as severe, with the collapse of a bridge, road subsidence, landslides, and extensive harm to private properties. At least six rescues were carried out under extremely dangerous conditions, involving both trapped residents and rescuers themselves. A platform for compensation claims is set to open on Monday.
Tragedy on Lemnos
Two fatalities were reported on Lemnos over the weekend. A 70-year-old man died after slipping on stairs, while a 57-year-old farmer was swept away by floodwaters near the Kontias dam while trying to free his vehicle.
Emergency Services Overwhelmed
The Fire Brigade received 1,758 calls from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon, involving rescues, tree removals, and water pumping.
Alerts via 112
Emergency alerts were issued on Sunday for several areas, including Larissa, Pylaia, Chortiatis, Rhodes, Platamonas, Leptokarya, and Neoi Poroi, warning residents of the hazardous conditions.
Freight Ship Collision
In Thessaloniki, strong winds caused a moored cargo ship to collide with another on Sunday. While no injuries or pollution were reported, both vessels sustained damage.
Rail and Road Disruptions
The Thessaloniki-Athens railway line experienced disruptions due to fallen trees and power outages. Hellenic Train reported significant delays, urging passengers to stay updated. In Thessaly, emergency crews have been working since Saturday night to address heavy rainfall in lowlands and snowfall in mountainous areas.
Military and Armed Forces Support
The Greek Armed Forces are assisting in evacuations, clearing debris, and restoring access to affected areas.
Snowfall in Western Macedonia
Snowfall was reported in Western Macedonia, where drivers were required to use snow tires or chains on mountainous roads.
The situation remains critical, with authorities continuing round-the-clock efforts to mitigate the impact of the severe weather.
