Minister Katsafados Inspects Storm-Damaged Areas in Corfu, Emergency Declared in Epirus and Kastoria
Corfu, November 23 – Following intense weather phenomena that have severely impacted the island of Corfu, Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, responsible for State Aid, Kostas Katsafados, conducted a series of on-site inspections and held a broad meeting with representatives from the Ionian Islands Regional Authority and the Municipal Authority of North Corfu. The purpose of the visit was to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate immediate response efforts.
Extensive Damage in Northern Corfu
During his inspection of the affected areas, the Deputy Minister observed the significant scale of damage to both residences and businesses. Particular emphasis was placed on the regions of Sidari, Karousades, and Velonades, where the destruction is widespread. Civil Protection mechanisms are continuously engaged in clearing obstacles and restoring accessibility to these areas.
The subsequent meeting confirmed the urgent need to activate recovery and compensation procedures for citizens. It also highlighted the importance of full coordination between the Regional Authority, the Municipality, and the Ministry to ensure a swift and effective response. A central topic of discussion was the process for recording damages and the prompt submission of data from those affected.
Mr. Katsafados stated that the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection remains in full operational readiness and is in continuous communication with municipal and regional authorities, not only in Corfu but also in all other areas impacted by the severe weather events.
Government Officials Emphasize Proper Documentation for Aid
Petros Kambouris, Secretary General for Disaster Recovery and State Aid, and Yiannis Pavlis, Director General of DAIFK, underscored that the complete and correct submission of documentation, combined with its immediate dispatch, is a crucial prerequisite for the effective activation of the state aid mechanism and the fastest possible disbursement of compensation to those affected.
Following his visit to Corfu, Mr. Katsafados is scheduled to travel to Filippiada, in the municipality of Ziros.
Emergency Declarations in Epirus and Kastoria
It is noted that, due to the intense weather phenomena and following requests from mayors, several municipalities have been declared in a state of Civil Protection Emergency by the Secretary General for Civil Protection, N. Papaevstathiou. These include:
- Ioannina Regional Unit: The Municipalities of Zagori, Ioannina, and Pogoni.
- Arta Regional Unit: The Municipalities of Georgios Karaiskakis and Kentrika Tzoumerka.
- Kastoria Regional Unit: The Municipal Units of Grammos, Nestorio, and Akrites within the Municipality of Nestorio.
- Thesprotia Regional Unit: The Municipality of Filiates (excluding the Municipal Community of Sagiada of the Municipal Unit of Sagiada and the Municipal Communities of Plaisio, Filiates, Faneromeni, Rizou, Malouni, and Xechoro of the Municipal Unit of Filiates), which were already under a state of civil protection emergency.
Additionally, the Municipality of Ziros in the Preveza Regional Unit is already under a state of Civil Protection Emergency for managing the consequences of both the forest fire that occurred on August 12, 2025, and the intense weather phenomena (heavy rainfall) that occurred on November 9 and 10, 2025.
This widespread activation of emergency measures underscores the severity of the recent weather events across multiple regions in Greece and the government’s coordinated efforts to provide relief and support to affected communities.
Source: https://debater.gr/ellada/aytopsia-toy-katsafadoy-stis-pligeises-apo-ta-entona-kairika-fainomena-stin-kerkyra/
