Intense severe weather has been causing extensive problems across Western Greece, Epirus, and the Ionian Islands over the past hours. Ioannina, Preveza, and Arta have received urgent messages from the 112 emergency system, warning residents of intense phenomena and an increased risk of landslides. The Fire Service has been inundated with dozens of calls for water pumping from flooded basements, with crews operating around the clock to assist affected communities.
Widespread Damage and Emergency Alerts
Areas within Arta also received a 112 message, with Civil Protection urging citizens to limit their movements to only absolutely necessary journeys. The message specifically highlighted the Municipal Units of Georgios Karaiskakis and Central Tzoumerka due to heavy rainfall and landslides. Residents of Preveza received a similar cautionary message.
According to reports from onprevezanews, the road connecting Palaia to Nea Filippiada has been temporarily closed to traffic. This closure is a direct consequence of the large volume of water and debris that has accumulated on the roadway, rendering it impassable. Local authorities, including the Municipality, Police, and Fire Service, remain on high alert, continuously monitoring the evolving situation.
Arta: Overflowing Streams and Impassable Roads
The Municipality of Ziros has been particularly hard-hit, with the severe weather impacting roads, open spaces, and vital municipal infrastructure. Homes and agricultural crops have sustained significant damage. Extensive landslides and overflowing streams have been reported across Arta, with areas such as Kakolagkado, Ammotopos, and Pantanassa experiencing the most severe disruptions. These conditions have made numerous roads impassable and highly dangerous for travel.
Epirusjournal.gr reports that crews from the Fire Service, local municipalities, and the Region of Epirus are working intensely to clear water and debris and restore the road network. Efforts are concentrated on critical routes, including the old Ioannina-Arta national road, which had to be temporarily closed due to debris. Authorities continue to urge citizens to restrict travel and exercise extreme caution, as the situation remains precarious. In the Tzoumerka area, torrents of water and debris have further exacerbated conditions, making vehicle movement exceptionally difficult. The sheer volume of water, combined with overflowing streams and transported debris, is creating new challenges in already strained areas. The recorded images vividly illustrate the immense power of nature and the profound impact of the severe weather on Epirus.
Corfu Faces State of Emergency Request
The situation is equally challenging in Corfu. According to ERT, both the Municipality and the Region are formally requesting the declaration of a state of emergency for the northern part of the island. As a precautionary measure, all weekend sporting events have been postponed. A specialized rescue unit, the 5th EMAK, has been dispatched from Ioannina, bringing with them rescue boats and essential equipment to aid in relief efforts.
The village of Karousades has been completely cut off following a significant landslide and the collapse of an unoccupied two-storey building in its center. In Sidari, roads have been transformed into raging rivers. ANA-MPA reports that the most significant problems are concentrated in Karousades, Velonades, and Sidari, where Civil Protection teams are actively working to restore traffic and accessibility.
Elsewhere on Corfu, a considerable section of a hillside collapsed adjacent to a police station, resulting in damage to patrol cars and other vehicles parked nearby.
Thesprotia and Ioannina: Third Day of Deluge
Thesprotia and Ioannina are enduring their third consecutive day of the relentless bad weather. The Kalamas River has overflowed its banks, inundating the plain of Vrysella, which is known for its mandarin orchards. Similar problems are being observed in Sagiada, where crops, orange groves, and rural roads are submerged under muddy water. Landslides and rockfalls persist across the mountainous road network of Epirus, particularly in Konitsa and Pogoni. Municipal and Civil Protection machinery are continuously deployed to clear the roads and ensure safe passage where possible.
Meteora Villages Cut Off
Serious problems are also being reported in the Municipality of Meteora. Villages within the Aspropotamos area, including Polythea, Kalliroi, Katafyto, Milia, and Anthousa, are experiencing extensive damage to their road networks. In some locations, roads have been split in two, bridges are at risk of collapse, and several settlements have become completely isolated.
“The situation in the villages of Aspropotamos is difficult, as large volumes of water have created many accessibility problems,” stated Lefteris Avramopoulos, the Mayor of Meteora, to ANA-MPA. He further noted that collaborative efforts with the Region of Thessaly are ongoing to address the crisis.
The Squall Line: A 200-Kilometer Threat
A massive squall line, stretching an impressive 200 kilometers, has been impacting the northwest region since the morning, bringing with it strong and persistent thunderstorms. According to meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, these intense phenomena are expected to continue for another 7-8 hours. The primary epicenters of this severe weather system are Lefkada, Arta, Preveza, Thesprotia, and Ioannina. Significant volumes of rainfall have already been recorded, substantially increasing the hydrological risk across all affected areas.
