The country is gripped by severe weather conditions, with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms affecting many regions. Since Wednesday afternoon (01/04), the storm “Erminio” has been battering the country with intense rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, hailstorms, and even heavy snowfall, causing extensive damage and problems in many areas including Crete, Euboea, Corinth, Rhodes, and Attica. Meanwhile, 7 Regional Units are under “red alert” status, with 112 emergency messages being issued, calling on residents to limit their movements due to the extreme weather phenomena expected to continue through Thursday (02/04).
Storm “Erminio”: 7 regions under “red code”, 112 warnings issued
Notably, due to the severe weather conditions, a warning message from 112 was issued just before 2:30 PM on Wednesday (01/04) to residents of Attica, stating: “Due to severe weather phenomena expected in the Attica Region, limit your movements to absolutely necessary ones from this afternoon until midnight. Follow the instructions of the Authorities.”
⚠️ Ενεργοποίηση 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Λόγω έντονων καιρικών φαινομένων που αναμένονται στην Περιφέρεια #Αττικής, περιορίστε τις μετακινήσεις σας στις απολύτως απαραίτητες από σήμερα το απόγευμα έως τα μεσάνυχτα.
‼️ Ακολουθείτε τις οδηγίες των Αρχών.
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) April 1, 2026
Additionally, a message from the 112 Climate Crisis and Civil Protection service was also issued to residents of the regional units of Boeotia, Phthiotis, and Euboea due to severe weather phenomena caused by storm Erminio. “Due to severe weather phenomena expected in the Regional Units of Boeotia, Phthiotis, and Euboea, limit your movements to absolutely necessary ones from late afternoon today until the early hours of Thursday,” states the Civil Protection message.
⚠️ Ενεργοποίηση 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣
🆘 Λόγω έντονων καιρικών φαινομένων που αναμένονται στις Περιφερειακές Ενότητες #Βοιωτίας, #Φθιώτιδας και #Εύβοιας,περιορίστε τις μετακινήσεις σας στις απολύτως απαραίτητες από αργά το απόγευμα σήμερα μέχρι τις πρωινές ώρες της Πέμπτης.
‼️ Ακολουθείτε…
— 112 Greece (@112Greece) April 1, 2026
7 regions under red code
Due to the severe weather, the Risk Assessment Committee convened today under Civil Protection Secretary General Nikos Papafstathiou, placing 7 regions under red code for Wednesday: Central Greece, Thessaly including the Sporades, Peloponnese, South Aegean, Imathia, Pieria, and Central Macedonia. One of the regions that will be hit by severe thunderstorms is Attica.
Extensive damage in Euboea, Crete, Corinth
Notably, the severe weather showed its “teeth” in Euboea, where according to evima.gr, the areas of Ellinika and Vasilika in the north of the island are facing severe rainfall.
Corinth: Courthouse flooded
The severe weather hitting Corinthia since morning has brought to surface serious infrastructure problems as the Corinth Courthouse was transformed into a “lake,” with water flooding the interior of the building. According to korinthostv.gr, the heavy rainfall caused water infiltration from the roof, resulting in flooded corridors and employees and citizens walking inside the building carrying umbrellas!
Additionally, buckets were placed under the points where the roof was leaking in a desperate attempt to limit the damage.
Apocalyptic scenes in Crete due to African dust
Shocking are the scenes prevailing in Heraklion, where hail fell from Wednesday morning (01/04). Later, the rain stopped with the area being “covered” by African dust.
Besides the yellow landscape that prevails, the increased concentration of African dust makes the atmosphere suffocating. The phenomenon will gradually start to subside from the afternoon.
The Civil Protection of the Crete Region, following the update of the emergency bulletin of dangerous weather phenomena from EMY/EMK (ERMINIO) that will affect Crete from today Wednesday April 1 until tomorrow Thursday April 2, 2026, with main characteristics being heavy rains and thunderstorms with possible hailstorms and very strong winds, announced that all Civil Protection services have been placed in a state of increased readiness at “Orange Alert” level for today Wednesday and at Red Alert level for tomorrow Thursday.
“We recommend that citizens be particularly careful in areas where severe weather phenomena occur and apply the authorities’ instructions for their self-protection,” it states characteristically, while noting: “In case of flood danger, move away early from underground spaces, coastal areas or streams and torrents. Modify your schedule and under no circumstances move by vehicle or on foot during the peak of the phenomena. When stormy winds occur, avoid activities in marine and coastal areas.”
Apocalyptic scenes also in Chania
Rain and dust in Tinos – Ferry ban continues
Intense is the presence of dust in the atmosphere of Tinos due to the severe weather and south winds, while schools will remain closed tomorrow on the island. Strong south winds carry large amounts of African dust, creating a suffocating atmosphere in several areas of the island.
Due to adverse weather conditions, it was decided that Tinos schools will remain closed tomorrow as well. Meanwhile, the ferry ban to and from Tinos port continues.
No problems in Epirus
Despite concerns about the sudden weather change with April’s arrival, so far no problems are recorded in Epirus.
In the four prefectures of Epirus (Ioannina, Arta, Preveza, Thesprotia), mainly weak to moderate rainfall is recorded, which has not created obstacles to movement.
According to the latest information, no intervention has been needed at any point on the national or provincial road network of the Region. Vehicle traffic proceeds normally, as no landslides or stream overflows requiring machinery intervention have been reported.
Civil Protection and the Fire Service remain on standby for the coming hours.
Storm “Erminio”: Schools closed on Thursday
Meanwhile, due to extreme weather phenomena, all schools in the Dodecanese and Cyclades will remain closed tomorrow Thursday April 2, due to the severe weather, by decision of the South Aegean Governor, Giorgos Hatzimarkos. As the governor states in his decision, “the operation of all school units of all educational levels throughout the territory of the Cyclades and Dodecanese is suspended on Thursday April 2, 2026, for the preventive protection of public safety. The suspension also concerns Preschool Education units and all Special Schools.”
Schools closed in Attica as well
Additionally, many municipalities in Attica are proceeding with suspension of school operations for tomorrow. Specifically, schools will remain closed in:
Municipality of Markopoulo: All schools and nurseries will remain closed due to increased risk of flooding and for the protection of students and teachers.
Municipality of Saronikos: Operation of schools, kindergartens, KAPI and sports facilities is suspended, as the area is expected to receive large amounts of rain.
Municipality of Marathon: School units, kindergartens, sports facilities and KDAP will remain closed due to dangerous weather conditions.
Distance learning where feasible
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced that in cases where schools remain closed due to severe weather, the educational process continues through distance learning.
As noted, remote teaching is activated immediately, even if suspension decisions are made at the last minute, to ensure the smooth continuation of the school
