Greece Grapples with Storm Erminio and Saharan Dust
Greece is facing a challenging weather situation as Storm Erminio brings gale-force winds and flooding to parts of the country, while a Saharan dust storm blankets the island of Crete, disrupting travel and impacting daily life. The combination of these events has led to one confirmed fatality and widespread disruption.
Storm Erminio Causes Flooding and Disruption
Storm Erminio has caused significant flooding in several areas, leading to school closures and the mooring of ferries. Reports from local media indicate individuals were trapped in their vehicles due to the severe weather conditions. The fire department received 674 calls for assistance between Wednesday and early Thursday morning, primarily in the Attica region surrounding Athens, with most requests related to fallen trees BBC News.
Tragically, a man in his 50s was found trapped under a car in Nea Makri, near Athens, and is believed to have been swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a flooded street BBC News. The basement of the local police station in Nea Makri was as well flooded. A bridge collapsed on the island of Poros, and vehicles were reportedly swept away.
Saharan Dust Envelops Crete
Simultaneously, a massive Saharan dust storm has descended upon Crete, turning the sky a striking reddish-orange color The Guardian. The dust storm disrupted flights on Wednesday, impacting travel to and from the popular tourist destination ahead of the Easter holidays BBC News. Images show the island’s capital, Heraklion, covered in red dust The Guardian.
National Weather Warnings
Greece’s national meteorological service has warned of “long-lasting and intense rains and storms” across most of the country on Thursday BBC News. Winds of up to force 9 on the Beaufort scale carried dust from North Africa The Guardian.
Ongoing Response and Recovery
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and provide assistance to those affected by the storm and dust storm. Ferry departures may resume on Thursday, weather permitting BBC News. Utility workers are working to repair infrastructure damaged by the flooding, including a split road in Kallitechnoupoli, a suburb of Athens The Guardian.