Powerful storm hits western Greece, flooding in Corfu, damage to agriculture and dozens of villages without power
Express newspaper
31/08/2025 21:46
The powerful storm that hit western Greece left behind extensive destruction in several cities, with the heaviest damage recorded in Corfu, Kos, Grevena, Kozani and Ioannina.
In Corfu, 126 millimeters of rain fell in just one hour, turning the city into a lake. Roads were flooded, shops were severely damaged in the Spilia area, while the road to the airport became impassable for hours. There were also major problems in air traffic, as 29 flights were canceled or diverted to Aktion, Thessaloniki and Ioannina.
Meanwhile, Kasturi faced a sudden storm that caused extensive damage to agricultural crops and the city itself. Winds gusting over 100 km per hour uprooted trees, destroyed bean and apple crops, and left hundreds of families without power for hours. Several vehicles were damaged when trees fell on them, while entire roads were blocked.
In Kozan and Grevena, a phenomenon that residents described as a “small cyclone” caused chaos. Without rain and without lightning, but only with strong winds, 9 fires broke out. Power lines were severely damaged, leaving over 38 villages without power for many hours. Fire services intervened on dozens of occasions to cut down trees and save houses that were threatened by the flames.
In Ioannina, in Mavili Square, a fierce wind collapsed the stage of a concert just a few hours before it was to start. Fortunately, the technicians and employees escaped without injury, although the material damage is incalculable. The concert was canceled, while the city faced extensive damage to public spaces and businesses.
Last night’s storm, during which over 20000 lightning strikes were recorded in these areas, once again showed the destructive power of extreme weather, leaving behind a bleak picture, with damage to agriculture, infrastructure and the local economy. /Top Channel