A forceful storm hitting the Aegean Sea has led to flash flooding on the Greek tourist island of Paros. Heavy rainfall soaked the popular resorts of Parikia and Naousa, causing rivers of water to surge down streets, sweeping away cars and debris past the iconic white buildings late on Monday.
The inundation was less significant on adjacent Mykonos, another favorite of tourists, where machinery was used to carve out paths for the floodwaters, which streamed by the waterfront eateries.
The onslaught of hail turned lush grasslands into a blanket of ice.
Emergency travel restrictions are in effect across both islands for all but essential vehicles, and schools have been closed.
Images remain in their original state.
Severe weather persisted on Tuesday, with heavy rains reported on Chios, Samos, and Crete, leading to improper road conditions, lost vehicles, and damaged property, as per local news.
In Paros, firefighters guided 13 individuals stranded by the storm back to safety, with no injuries or missing persons recorded, while removal of vehicles entangled in the muddy floods is on-going.
Almost the entire road system lies in disruption; businesses near the oceanfront experience flooding while boats and nets were among the debris carried away, according to public broadcaster ERT.
Paros’ Mayor, Costas Bizas, noted the rapid escalation, stating everything unfolded within two hours: damaged infrastructure and a need for additional equipment to clear streets. Mykonos’ Mayor,Christos Veronis, seeks a declaration of emergency on his island.
Greece has faced similar flood situations previously, with a 2023 storm claiming 17 lives and causing widespread destruction in the central region of Thessaly, with Scientists attributing these severe events to rising global temperatures causing warmer waters.
