Popular vacation hotspot destroyed as vehicles and particles swept via streets by flash floods
A huge storm battered the Greek islands of Paros and Mykonos on Monday, causing widespread flooding. Floodwaters surged through the streets of Parikia and Naousa on Paros, carrying cars and debris past whitewashed buildings
A monstrous storm wreaked havoc on the Greek islands of Paros and Mykonos on Monday, triggering severe flooding.
The deluge swept through the streets of Parikia and Naousa on Paros, dragging cars and debris along its path past the island’s iconic whitewashed buildings.
Eyewitness videos shared on social media platforms captured the terrifying scene in Naousa, with torrents of muddy water rushing through the town’s streets. The footage showed cars flipped over and floating in the floodwaters, or smashed against each other. Drone shots further revealed the scale of the disaster, with the majority of the town’s main roads submerged.
Firefighters on Paros heroically rescued 13 individuals stranded by the storm, escorting them safely back to their homes.
Officials have confirmed that no injuries or missing persons have been reported so far, and clean-up operations are ongoing.
Paros Mayor Kostas Bizas said: “All this catastrophe happened in two hours. Roads have been damaged, and we need help with more machines so that we can clear the streets.”
Over on Mykonos, which was less impacted by the storm, emergency service workers had to deploy excavators to carve a route for the floodwater, which surged past seafront cafes and eateries.
Schools on Paros, Mykonos and two other Aegean Sea islands were instructed to stay shut on Tuesday.
Residents also received mobile alerts from the civil protection service, advising them to remain indoors.
Municipal teams and private contractors have been enlisted to assist with the clean-up efforts following the floods.
They toiled away, clearing roads blocked by tumbled rocks, while emergency services swooped in to rescue marooned motorists.
Several islands near Paros, nestled in the Cyclades group southeast of the mainland in the Aegean Sea, were slapped with severe weather warnings through Tuesday.
The National Meteorological Service predicts that heavy rain and thunderstorms will persist this week.
Regions caught in the storm’s path include the Ionian Islands, mainland areas, Macedonia, Thrace, the Aegean Sea, and Attica.
Concerned tourists and residents of Santa Pola were forced to stay inside as the weather took a nasty turn this week.
The neighbouring town of Rojales was also battered by the weather as a yellow alert was issued across Alicante.
Locals in these regions have been urged to stay alert and adhere to official safety guidelines amidst the tempest.
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