Storm Elena caused flooding in the greater area of Athens, including in the northwest area of Schimatari, where several vehicles were submerged under tons of water, and drivers became trapped in their cars.
The incident happned on the service road of Greece’s national highway near the former toll station. Five of these vehicles remain underwater several days later.
Another Flooding Incident Caused by Storm Elena
Vasilis Gravanis, the father of a young man who was trapped at the scene, spoke to MEGA TV, explaining that he recieved a call from his son who said he was drowning in his car. The father quickly went to the scene with his wife and found only one patrol car, several vehicles submerged in water, including one with his son.
“When asked why the road wasn’t closed, they told me it had been closed, but the first car knocked over the cone. The water reached up to the hood of the cars cars and my son was able to swim out. Other drivers rescued him.”
The vehicles remain in the flooded water and when the vehicle owners ask how they will get back their cards, “the municipality says it’s the region’s responsibility, and the region says they don’t know,” Gravanis told MEGA tv.
Passing the Buck
Efi Ntini, a journalist for the website eviakosmos.gr, told MEGA that the municipality and the regional authority are blaming each other.
“I reached out to Mr. Staikouras yesterday, and to his credit, he told me that today we will determine what needs to be done with the relevant authorities and who is responsible for coordinating with the company to pump out the water. The road maintenance is handled by a company to which the road has been leased, according to what the regional governor told me yesterday,” she said.
“They didn’t have time to notice there was water overnight, and cars ended up in it. The road was closed on the third day,” Mr. Gravanis added.
Flooding in Athens and on Evia Island
Storm Elena caused widespread flooding and chaos in Attica and Evia on Christmas Day, Dec 25.
In Attica, torrential rain turned roads into rivers, closing major avenues such as Poseidonos, Parnitha, and Karamanlis, and stalling vehicle movement. The Fire Brigade responded to over 20 calls to pump water from homes and shops. Floodwaters began to recede by the morning of Dec 26, reopening some roads partially.
In Evia, the Messapios River swelled, leading to severe flooding in Maletiani village, part of Kymi municipality, disrupting roads and the local water supply network.
