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Severe weather hits Greece: Over 360 emergency calls as storms batter Ionian Islands and Epirus

Severe problems from extreme weather are being recorded across the country, particularly in the regions of the Ionian Islands and Epirus. Due to heavy rainfall in these areas, the Fire Service Operations Center has received…

Severe weather hits Greece: Over 360 emergency calls as storms batter Ionian Islands and Epirus
Greece
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Severe problems from extreme weather are being recorded across the country, particularly in the regions of the Ionian Islands and Epirus. Due to heavy rainfall in these areas, the Fire Service Operations Center has received 367 calls since the early morning hours today, Friday (November 21, 2025), for water pumping, tree cutting and emergency assistance.

Breakdown:

  • In the Ionian Islands Region, specifically on Corfu island: 180 calls, mainly for the areas of Sidari, Agios Stefanos Avlioton, Roda and Kassiopi, while so far 18 water pumping operations and seven (7) tree cutting operations have been completed.
  • In the Epirus Region: 187 calls in Ioannina, Preveza, Filippiada and Tzoumerka, while so far 30 water pumping operations, 17 tree cutting operations and three (3) emergency assistance operations have been completed.

Extreme weather: Serious problems in Filippiada, Preveza, roads like rivers in Ziros municipality (Images & Video)


Ioannina, Preveza, Arta, Thesprotia and Meteora in the eye of the storm

Earlier, Ioannina, Preveza, Arta, Thesprotia and Meteora received emergency alerts from 112 warning of intense rainfall and landslide risks. Specifically, a midday message was sent due to rainfall and landslides in Ioannina. Residents were called to limit their movements to absolutely necessary ones. The message stated: “Due to intense rainfall and landslides in the Regional Unit of Ioannina, limit your movements to absolutely necessary ones. Follow the instructions of the Authorities“. Similar 112 messages followed for the municipal unit of Arta, Meteora in the regional unit of Trikala, Filiates in the regional unit of Thesprotia, Ziros and Preveza, Georgios Karaiskakis and Central Tzoumerka in the Regional Unit of Arta.



Meanwhile, the mayor of Pogoni Municipality, Konstantinos Kapsalis, is requesting the declaration of his municipality in a state of emergency, in a letter to the General Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, following serious damage caused by intense weather phenomena in recent days. Continuous and heavy rainfall caused landslides and subsidence at many points on the road network, significant damage to bridges and generally extensive damage to municipal infrastructure, creating serious operational problems and safety risks for residents. Despite continuous efforts by the Municipality’s Civil Protection and technical crews, the extent of damage exceeds the capacity of available resources. Mr. Kapsalis emphasizes the critical situation due to the border location, special geographical characteristics and notes that “the need for immediate state support is imperative“.

Temporary suspension of vehicle traffic on sections of the road network in Trikala Regional Unit

The General Regional Police Directorate of Thessaly announced that, by decision of the Trikala Police Directorate, due to intense flooding phenomena, vehicle traffic is temporarily suspended on sections of the road network in the Trikala Regional Unit, at the following points:

(a) On the National Road Kalambaka – Kastania, from the 20th km (at the “TSITOS” bridge) for all vehicles,

(b) On the National Road Kalambaka – Aspropotamos, from its intersection with the Provincial Road Kallirois – Agia Paraskevi (Tria Potamia location) to the entrance of the Local Community of Agia Paraskevi (3.5 km of the Provincial Road Kallirois – Agia Paraskevi), for all vehicles,

(c) On the Provincial Road Kalambaka – Krya Vrysi from its 2nd km (intersection to Ambelion community – at the “DIABAS” bridge), to its intersection with the 22nd km of the National Road Trikala-Ioannina,

(d) On the Provincial road network of Palaiochori Local Community, from its intersection with the 28th km of the Provincial Road Kalambaka- Chrysomilia to Palaiochori Local Community,

(e) Pedestrian bridges “Agios Konstantinos”, “Pelekis” or “Agios Stefanos” and “Koutsomelion” in Trikala city.

Serious problems in Arta & Corfu from extreme weather

The Municipality of Arta informs citizens that, following extreme weather phenomena in recent hours, extensive landslides and problems have occurred on the road network of the wider area, while a 112 message was sent for landslides in the areas of Georgios Karaiskakis and Central Tzoumerka. “Due to intense rainfall and landslides in the Municipal Units of #Georgios_Karaiskakis and #Central_Tzoumerka of the Regional Unit of #Arta, limit your movements to absolutely necessary ones. Follow the instructions of the Authorities”.

The main incidents, as noted by the Municipality, concern:

  • The Kakolangado area (Arta – Rodavgi), where after a major landslide and stream overflow, the road has been completely cut off and traffic is impossible. The area is inaccessible and crews are already at the site.
  • Ammotopos (after Kiafa), where a significant landslide has occurred, resulting in serious safety risks for passersby.
  • While in Pantanassa, torrent overflow is observed, creating dangerous conditions on the road network and adjacent points.
  • In Corfu, at Kaousades, an entire slope collapsed, dragging cars and causing significant damage to homes. Fortunately, the affected houses were uninhabited, which prevented human casualties. The area remains inaccessible, while Civil Protection teams are operating under difficult conditions, according to kerkyrasimera.gr.
  • A serious problem has also occurred at the local Police Station, which has been blocked by rubble and debris, creating obstacles to police work.

In Sidari and Magoulades, Corfu, roads have turned into lakes, with large amounts of water covering entire sections of the settlements. Vehicle passage is extremely difficult, while in some areas it is deemed impossible.

Additionally, the areas of Kaousades and Sidari remain without electricity, with DEDDIE crews trying to approach the fault locations despite significant access difficulties. At the same time, areas of Epirus in Thesprotia and Ioannina appear to be facing very serious problems from floods. It is noted that several roads to many mountain villages of Konitsa have also been closed.

Meanwhile, the Tsitou bridge in the Kastania area was closed before Friday noon, according to stagonnews. Due to the intense bad weather, water is rushing down from the stream, creating concern for crossing safety. Today schools will remain closed in the Corfu areas of Karousades, Velonatès, Avliotès, Velonatès Special School and Kavvadadon kindergarten.

Emergency weather deterioration bulletin

According to the Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) issued yesterday Thursday, November 20, 2025, by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), strong rains and storms are forecast for today Friday in the Ionian islands (Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca), Aetoloacarn

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