A powerful storm moving across the southeastern Mediterranean has already dumped more than 20 inches of rain on central Greece and caused widespread flooding. The upper level low pressure system, called “Daniel”, has characteristics of a “medicane” or Mediterranean tropical cyclone.
“This is an extreme weather phenomenon,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said during a meeting Tuesday with Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
Storm #Daniel is causing severe flooding in central Greece. #Will #Marble #Hello
The situation could also get worse. The low pressure area responsible could stall over the Mediterranean in the coming days, continuing heavy rain over Greece. #medicine #greeceflooding pic.twitter.com/fQ7PmtXeQf
— Zoom Earth (@zoom_earth) September 5, 2023
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service, the Greek government’s weather agency, issued red warnings, the highest warning category, for dangerous flash flooding after more than 20 inches of rain fell in the central region.
“Heavy rain will continue in Greece through Thursday thanks to an Omega block that keeps Storm Daniel close for a couple of additional days,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls wrote in a note.
The Greek town of Portaria has been the most affected by the torrential rain. It reported 23.65 inches early Tuesday, while nearby areas such as Volos and Agia provinces recorded nearly 8 inches.
Oh my god! Zagora, Greece recorded an impressive 528mm (21in) of rain in just 10 hours – an additional 300-500mm, locally up to 600mm, could fall on Thursday. A historic flood is underway! pic.twitter.com/7swtHuCFVI
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) September 5, 2023
Videos on social media show flash flooding across Greece and the islands, which is expected to continue for the next 24 to 48 hours.
BREAKING: Cars are now being dragged into the sea at Agios Ioannis, Pelion. Ongoing flood disaster in Thessaly, Greece. pic.twitter.com/uRr80Da0sB
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) September 5, 2023
Disturbing scenes continue to emerge from Thessaly, Greece, as the region experiences one of the worst flooding events on record. Continuous heavy rains have turned the streets of Skiathos into raging rivers. pic.twitter.com/iHumXamWem
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) September 5, 2023
BREAKING | Torrential rains have caused massive flooding in several cities in Greece.
This comes after massive forest fires ravaged the country; which led to intense mudslides, life-threatening rushing water and even cars being swept into the sea.
One death has been reported… pic.twitter.com/Bw78mfMSZK
— READY ALERTS (@Prepared Alerts) September 5, 2023
Flooding in Vosos, Greece, with submerged cars.#StormHour #Floodpic.twitter.com/6D08I956KL
— #StormHour (@StormHour) September 5, 2023
AccuWeather forecasters warn that Daniel could strengthen to become a “medicine” as it moves through the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Possible Medicane has already received 2 feet of rain #Greecewith more to come. https://t.co/UJn4oRpx9V pic.twitter.com/te4NfMnj90
— Jesse Ferrell (AccuWeather) (@WeatherMatrix) September 5, 2023
Daniel comes as Greece has been battling wildfires across the country this summer. Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said recently that almost 100 people have been arrested for starting fires. He called them “incendiary slag.”
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