Weather: Storms, hail, and gale-force winds – Areas under red code
Severe weather warnings have been issued in Greece, with four regions placed under a 'Red Code' alert due to expected storms, hail, and gale-force winds.
On Tuesday, February 17, Greece is set to experience extreme weather conditions characterized by heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and gale-force winds. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has activated a 'Red Code' for four regions, including the Peloponnese, Western Greece, the Ionian Islands, and Epirus, due to the risk of floods and coastal flooding from the strong winds.
The Hellenic Meteorological Service has released an urgent bulletin indicating a significant deterioration in weather across the country. It forecasts intense rainfall and thunderstorms, particularly affecting regions such as Epirus and western Sterea through the afternoon, as well as the western and southern Peloponnese throughout the day. The island of Crete is also anticipated to experience severe weather, focusing on its western and southern parts during midday and afternoon hours.
The activation of these alerts comes as a preventative measure, with authorities preparing for potential emergency scenarios, including flash floods and severe wind impacts. Citizens in the affected areas are being advised to take precautions and to stay informed about weather updates, as conditions could lead to significant disruptions and challenges for emergency services in responding to these extreme events.