Floods and power cuts in Greece from Hurricane Ianos | Abroad

Wind speeds of up to 117 kilometers per hour were measured during the storm. Several flights to the island of Kefalonia had to divert due to the strong winds. Dozens of beach bars have been destroyed and several yachts have been damaged in the ports of the tourist resorts. Many trees were also blown over. The authorities had not received any reports of victims by late afternoon on Friday.

The coast guard reported that off the coast of the western part of the Peloponnese peninsula, a ship carrying 55 migrants has been in trouble due to bad weather. The boat was most likely bound for Italy. Vessels in the area tried to provide assistance, but the high waves and wind force 11 made it impossible to take over passengers.

The coast guard hopes that the migrant ship will drift towards land. That would make the rescue operation easier. According to the Greek state radio, the boat was still about 18 kilometers from the coast on Friday afternoon and is indeed moving towards the sandy beaches of the Ilia district.

Stay inside

People who are in the vicinity of the storm area are advised not to go out. Schools remained closed on Friday and there are no ferries to and from Zakynthos, Kefalonia and Ithaka. Meteorologists warned that Ianos, slowly moving along the west coast, may be heading inland for the next several hours. Heavy damage can also be done there. A weather improvement is only expected in the night from Sunday to Monday.

In 2017, more than 20 people died from a severe ‘medicane’ in Greece, a storm depression that can develop in the Mediterranean Sea towards the end of summer, where the water is still warm. Above the mainland, the force usually diminishes rapidly.

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