Torrential rain hit central Greece, causing severe flooding in the city of Volos and on the island of Evia, just weeks after Storm Daniel claimed 16 lives in the region. The storm caused a private helicopter to crash into the sea off the coast of Evia, with a search and rescue operation currently underway. The extent of the damage and the cause of the accident are still unknown.
Since the storm hit, more than 250 people have been evacuated from the affected areas and the fire brigade has received over 1,200 calls for help. The heavy rain caused water levels to rise rapidly, leading to overflowing streams and worsening the flooding. As a result, approximately 80% of Volos experienced power outages, and local authorities have prohibited vehicles from accessing the roads.
Residents of Volos criticized the authorities for their lack of preparedness, as they were still dealing with the aftermath of Storm Daniel. The previous storm had already caused significant damage to homes, road infrastructure, and farms, and many were still in the process of recovering. In addition, Storm Daniel had also impacted Libya, resulting in a massive flood in the city of Derna, where over 2,500 people lost their lives.
The continuous devastation caused by these storms emphasizes the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and response strategies in the region.
