Record-breaking rainfall in Magnissia; one dead, one missing during storm and floods in Volos [vid]

The rain and storm phenomenon ‘Daniel’ broke the Greek record for rainfall within 24 hours, before it even completed 24 hours, Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Vassilis Kikilias said on Tuesday.

In a statement on the current extreme weather – which has already flooded cities like Volos in central Greece’s Magnissia prefecture – Kikilias warned the public to follow orders by Civil Protection, the Fire Brigade and the Hellenic Police.

“According to meteorologists, this is the most extreme phenomenon in terms of maximum rainfall within 24 hours since Greece first kept such archives. In Zagora at Mt. Pilio, rainfall had reached 645 mm by 15:00. Meteorologists believe that the millimeters will rise by the time 24 hours conclude. This means the phenomenon has not exhausted itself. Following a brief lull, it will become intense during early morning hours,” Kikilias said.

The minister mentioned that forces helping out included 77 Fire Brigade teams and emergency teams (EMAK), Armed Forces, police staff and local government officials, while boats, crawler tractors, and earth-moving machines were also used for the region of Magnissia. The Fire Brigade, he noted, had received 690 phone calls for help from all regions of Greece. Most of them (500) were in the Magnissia prefecture; and they included 80 cases of pumping out flooded homes and businesses, while 100 people have been transferred to safe places.

Forecasts show a gradual improvement as of noon Wednesday.

Power failures in Volos region

The ‘Daniel’ weather phenomenon sweeping through most of Greece with heavy rain and lightning caused extensive damage on Tuesday in the power network at Volos, Mt. Pilio, elsewhere in the Magnissia prefecture, as well as in the Sporades Islands.

Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) said that its technical staff and collaborating companies were on alert but faced great obstacles in accessing the affected areas.

HEDNO also warned residents not to approach pipes, pylons or any part of the network lying on the ground, and to call 800 400 4000 (repairs) or their local police department.