Rescue workers are preparing to use helicopters to rescue people from roofs and flooded and remote areas of the northwestern island of Corfu, according to Christos Stylianides, Minister for Civil Protection and Climate Change.
– There is no doubt that we are facing a dangerous weather phenomenon that is very serious in some parts of the country, says Stylianides.
At Evvia, at least three areas, which were previously affected by the forest fires in August, have been evacuated. The forest fires have made the areas more exposed to floods.
The storm has also hit the Greek capital and other parts of southern Greece, causing traffic problems. The fire brigade received more than 300 assignments in the capital to pump water out of flooded homes, the authorities say.
The government sent push notices in Greek and English to mobile phones in affected areas, urging people to “avoid unnecessary movement and areas that have been or may be flooded.”
Dozens of vehicles were stranded on flooded roads in Athens. Schools in Athens, on Evvia and near the city of Thessaloniki will be closed on Friday.
The weather is expected to improve on Saturday.
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