The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr), under the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection, has notified all relevant state services, regions, and municipalities across the country to be on high alert. This increased readiness aims to swiftly address the impacts of anticipated severe weather phenomena.
Self-Protection Measures for Residents of Corfu
In parallel, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection strongly advises citizens to exercise extreme caution and take proactive self-protection measures against the risks posed by severe weather conditions.
Specific Guidelines for Areas with Heavy Rainfall, Storms, or Gale-Force Winds:
- Secure loose objects: Fasten any items that, if carried away by severe weather, could cause damage or injury.
- Check drains and gutters: Ensure that residential drains and gutters are clear and functioning properly.
- Avoid crossing waterways: Do not attempt to cross torrents and streams, whether on foot or by vehicle, during and for several hours after storms and heavy rainfall. Pay special attention to road sections where roads intersect with torrents and there is no bridge.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather (risk of lightning strikes).
- Seek immediate shelter during hail: Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until you are certain the storm has passed. Hail can also be very dangerous for animals.
- Avoid hazardous areas: Do not pass under large trees, suspended signs, or generally areas where light objects (e.g., flower pots, broken glass, etc.) could detach and fall (e.g., under balconies).
- Follow official instructions: Adhere strictly to the instructions of local authorities, such as the Traffic Police.
Specific Guidelines for Areas with Intense Lightning Activity:
If you are at home:
- Avoid electrical appliances and phones: Do not hold electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can travel through wires. Disconnect TV sets from the antenna and power supply.
- Avoid plumbing: Do not touch plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.
If you are in a car:
- Pull over safely: Stop the car at the side of the road, away from trees that might fall on it.
- Stay inside and use hazard lights: Remain inside and turn on your hazard lights until the storm subsides.
- Close windows and avoid metal: Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
- Avoid flooded roads.
If you are outdoors:
- Seek immediate shelter: Take refuge in a building or car. If not possible, immediately sit on the ground without lying down.
- Seek shelter under dense, low tree branches if you are in a forest.
- Never seek shelter under a tall tree in an open area.
- Avoid low-lying areas due to flood risk.
- Stay away from pylons, power lines, telephone lines, and fences.
- Do not approach metal objects (e.g., cars, bicycles, camping equipment).
- Move away from rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water.
- If you are in the sea, exit immediately.
- If you are isolated in a flat area and feel your hair stand on end (indicating an imminent lightning strike), squat down with your head between your legs (to minimize your body’s surface area and contact with the ground), discarding any metal objects you have on you.
For information regarding protection from severe weather phenomena, you can refer to the website and official accounts of the Fire Department on Facebook and Twitter.
For information and announcements regarding the current situation and road network accessibility due to floodwaters, citizens can visit the Hellenic Police website at www.astynomia.gr.
Citizens can stay informed daily about the evolution of extraordinary weather phenomena through regular weather bulletins from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) and on the EMY website at www.emy.gr.
Source: https://corfutvnews.gr/dimos-kentrikis-kerkyras-epideinosi-tou-kairou-metra-aftoprostasias/
