Storm Elias Hits Battered Volos In Central Greece

Xinhua/APP

Athens: Central Greece was struck by a storm known as ‘Elias’ on Wednesday which has led to extensive flooding in parts of the region and left hundreds stranded in nearby mountain villages. The fire service carried out multiple rescues and evacuations, according to the authorities.

Some affected areas had already endured the consequences of the recent storm ‘Daniel’ just three weeks ago which resulted in 17 casualties and significant damage to infrastructure, residential areas and agriculture.

Greek national news agency AMNA reported that residents in the port city of Volos were advised to stay indoors on Wednesday afternoon due to floods.

Meanwhile, residents of three villages near the cities of Larissa, Karditsa and Lamia were alerted by authorities to prepare for possible evacuations given rising river waters.

Elias is the second major storm to hit the region since Storm Daniel, the most intense rainfall to hit Greece since records began in 1930, battered the region three days earlier in September.

Many Volos residents said the authorities were still dealing with the aftermath of Daniel and had not been adequately prepared for another storm.