The severe weather affecting a large part of the country in recent hours is causing extensive problems in Western Greece, Epirus and the Ionian Islands. Ioannina, Preveza and Arta have received messages from the 112 emergency system warning of intense phenomena and increased risk of landslides. The Fire Service has received dozens of calls for water pumping from flooded basements, while crews continue to operate around the clock.

Areas of Arta also received a 112 message, with Civil Protection urging citizens to limit their movements. Specifically, the message states:
“Due to heavy rainfall and landslides in the Municipal Units of Georgios Karaiskakis and Central Tzoumerka of the Regional Unit of Arta, limit your travel to absolutely necessary movements only.”

Residents of Preveza received a similar message.

According to onprevezanews, the road from Palaia to Nea Filippiada has been temporarily closed due to the large volume of water and debris on the roadway. The Municipality, Police and Fire Service are on alert.

Overflowing streams and landslides in Arta

In the area of the Municipality of Ziros, the bad weather has hit roads, open spaces and municipal infrastructure, with homes and crops suffering heavy damage. Extensive landslides and overflowing streams have been recorded in Arta, especially in Kakolagkado, Ammotopos and Pantanassa, making many roads impassable and dangerous.

According to epirusjournal.gr, crews from the Fire Service, local municipalities and the Region of Epirus are working intensely to remove water and debris and to restore the road network, such as on the old Ioannina–Arta national road, which was temporarily closed due to debris. Authorities are urging citizens to limit travel and remain extremely cautious, as the situation remains dangerous.

At the same time, torrents of water and debris have formed in the Tzoumerka area, making vehicle movement extremely difficult.

The enormous volume of water, overflowing streams and transported debris are further worsening the situation, causing new difficulties in already burdened areas. The images being recorded highlight the power of nature and the deep impact of the severe weather on Epirus.

Municipal stadium of Filippiada flooded

Total ban on vehicle circulation in the mountainous areas of Kalabaka

It is noted that on the road network (provincial road Kalabaka–Aspropotamos) in the Aspropotamos area of the Municipality of Meteora, Trikala Prefecture, a total ban on vehicle traffic is in force due to intense weather phenomena.

Severe weather in Aspropotamos

The situation is particularly difficult in Corfu. According to ERT, the Municipality and the Region are requesting that the northern part of the island be declared in a state of emergency, while weekend sporting events are being postponed. Members of the 5th EMAK rescue unit have already departed from Ioannina with rescue boats and equipment.

The village of Karousades has been cut off following a landslide and the collapse of an unoccupied two-storey building in the village centre, while in Sidari roads have turned into rivers. According to ANA-MPA, the biggest problems are recorded in Karousades, Velonades and Sidari, with Civil Protection working to restore traffic.

Elsewhere in Corfu, an entire hillside collapsed next to the police station, causing damage to patrol cars and other vehicles.

At the same time, Thesprotia and Ioannina are being hit for the third consecutive day by the wave of bad weather. The Kalamas River overflowed, flooding the plain of Vrysella with mandarin orchards, while similar problems are observed in Sagiada, where crops, orange groves and rural roads have been submerged in muddy water.

In the mountainous road network of Epirus, in Konitsa and Pogoni, landslides and rockfalls continue, with municipal and Civil Protection machinery working to clear the roads.

Serious problems are also being recorded in the Municipality of Meteora, where villages in the Aspropotamos area – Polythea, Kalliroi, Katafyto, Milia and Anthousa – are facing extensive damage to the road network. In some places the road has been split in two, bridges are at risk of collapse and several settlements have been cut off.

“The situation in the villages of Aspropotamos is difficult, as large volumes of water have created many accessibility problems,” said the Mayor of Meteora, Lefteris Avramopoulos, to ANA-MPA, noting that efforts continue in cooperation with the Region of Thessaly.

What is the squall line hitting the northwest

A large squall line stretching 200 kilometres has been hitting the northwest since the morning, causing strong and persistent thunderstorms. According to meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias, the phenomena will continue intensely for another 7–8 hours, with Lefkada, Arta, Preveza, Thesprotia and Ioannina at the epicentre. Large volumes of rainfall have already been recorded, significantly increasing the hydrological risk in the affected areas.