Apocalyptic Deluge: Greece Submerged by Months of Rain in a Single Day, Following Deadly Storm

Storm Elias unleashed torrential rain in Greece, exceeding the normal rainfall for several months in a single day. This devastating storm follows closely after Storm Daniel, which claimed the lives of 17 individuals in Greece. Consequently, numerous villages were submerged, roads were rendered impassable, and schools had no choice but to suspend operations. To address the dire circumstances, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis swiftly activated state emergency services and deployed military personnel to strengthen the defenses particularly in the northern Thessaly region.

Since Tuesday, the Greek fire service has relocated over 3,000 individuals to safer areas due to worsening weather conditions. The European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) revealed on Wednesday night that an entire month's worth of rain had poured down in the past 24 hours. Furthermore, Greece's meteorological service predicts that the storm will persist, accompanied by intense rain, hail, and thunder, at least until Thursday.

The flooded city of Volos after storm Elias hit on September 27.

The storm is primarily impacting central Greece, an area that is still recovering from the damage caused by Daniel in early September. Daniel had devastated the region, causing severe destruction to important infrastructure, transforming villages into flooded areas, and resulting in the loss of lives of at least 17 individuals.

Volos, a port city in Thessaly, has been severely impacted by the storms. During Daniel, the city received over 10 times its average September rainfall. Similarly, Elias has caused flooding on roads near the port, leading the Greek police to enforce a ban on traffic circulation in the city as a precautionary measure.

According to the ESWD and the World Meteorological Organization, Volos experienced a remarkable 298 mm (11.7 inches) of rainfall within a 14-hour timeframe from Elias. This amount is more than eight times higher than the city's usual September average.

Other cities across Greece also experienced significant rainfall. In just 7 hours, Limni received 216 mm (8.5 inches) of rain, while Istiaia recorded 140 mm (5.5 inches) in only 3.5 hours. The Greek public broadcaster, ERT, reported that villages on the island of Evia were flooded, and roads were destroyed as a result. It is important to note that Evia had previously suffered from devastating wildfires in 2021.

Floods in the city of Volos, Greece, after storm Elias hit on September 27.

Louisa Gouliamaki/Reuters

Severe flooding this month has affected Greece, along with at least 10 other countries and territories. Scientists are issuing warnings that as the climate crisis intensifies, these extreme weather events may become more frequent worldwide. This places governments under pressure to make necessary preparations. Greek environment minister Theodoros Skylakakis noted that the floods, caused by Storm Daniel, bear the marks of climate change, following the country's devastating wildfires.

"We have had the warmest summer on record. The sea was very warm, which lead to this unique meteorological event," he said.

CNNs Jessie Yeung contributed reporting.