Storm ‘Cassandra’ Wreaks Havoc in W. Greece; 1 Dead

Storm Cassandra officially hit Greece Friday evening, bringing heavy rainfall, storms and flooding, especially to western parts of the country. One person also tragically lost heir lives as a result of the storm.

At the center of the storm’s activities is the regional unit of Aetolia-Acarnania, causing significant disruptions in traffic, due to road closures, with authorities working to clear up the streets.

Rainwater also flooded basements, storage units and agricultural areas. Meteorologists recorded up to 100 of water per 0.1 hectare having fallen up until now till now in certain parts of the country.

A 52-year old man died in the municipality of Agrinio after his vehicle was swept away from a torrent of water in the region’s settlement of Stratos. Extensive search efforts included 6 vehicles, 14 people and drones, were mobilized to locate the individual. Authorities found the man’s vehicle, and discovered the man’s body shortly after, close to where he worked as a guard.

According to reports, the last known contact he had was a phone call with a co-worker at 5:30 am where he mentioned the heavy rainfall.

Storm “Cassandra” is expected to continue until the afternoon, extending to eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the western Peloponnese, and possibly the southern Ionian Islands. The storm will weaken, however, as it moves eastward, hitting the eastern Aegean and northeastern Greece with less intensity.