ATHENS, Dec. 5 (GCT) – Storm Byron raged across Greece for a second consecutive day on Friday, unleashing torrential rain that caused severe flooding in multiple regions. The event, which began on Thursday morning, has led to widespread disruption and property damage, prompting a significant emergency response from authorities.
Mandra: A Traumatic Repeat
The town of Mandra, located west of western Attica and approximately 20 km northwest of the capital, was once again among the hardest hit areas. Streets were rapidly transformed into raging rivers, and numerous homes and businesses were inundated with mud. This situation has revived traumatic memories of the catastrophic 2017 floods in the same area, which tragically claimed 24 lives. Fortunately, this time, no deaths have been reported nationwide, a fact officials attribute to improved anti-flood measures implemented since the previous disaster.
Emergency Response and Rainfall Records
From Thursday morning through Friday, the Greek Fire Service responded to nearly 600 emergency calls, demonstrating the scale of the emergency. During this period, 22 individuals were rescued, with ten of these rescues occurring in Mandra. The National Observatory of Athens reported an astonishing 251 mm of rainfall in nearby Nea Peramos in just 12 hours overnight. This figure represents one of the highest 24-hour rainfall totals recorded in Greece since 2008, underscoring the intensity of Storm Byron.
Impact and Ongoing Alerts
In the last 48 hours, the heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds associated with Storm Byron have inflicted widespread damage across a broad geographical area. Homes, shops, agricultural land, and critical road networks have been severely affected, from the Ionian island of Zakynthos to the Peloponnese and the Aegean islands, including Crete and Rhodes. The country’s meteorological service has maintained a high level of alert, with twelve of Greece’s 13 regions remaining under the maximum “code red” alert through Saturday. In response, schools have been closed, and authorities continue to urge citizens to avoid all unnecessary travel to ensure public safety. The National Meteorological Service forecasts that intense weather conditions will persist until at least midday Saturday, indicating a prolonged period of caution for residents.
Preventative Measures and Future Improvements
Officials have noted that the anti-flood measures implemented following the devastating 2017 disaster likely played a crucial role in preventing loss of life during Storm Byron. These measures, which included infrastructure upgrades and improved emergency protocols, appear to have mitigated the most severe human impact. However, authorities also acknowledged that additional infrastructure improvements remain essential to enhance the country’s resilience against future extreme weather events. The ongoing need for investment in flood prevention and management systems is a key takeaway from the latest storm, as Greece continues to grapple with the increasing frequency and intensity of severe weather phenomena.
Source: https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/12/06/storm-byron-greece-flooding-mandra-no-fatalities/
