Storm Elias, the second major storm in a month, made landfall in Greece on Thursday and caused widespread destruction.
Elias was so strong when it hit Greece, it swept away roads, flooded thousands of homes, collapsed bridges and may have been responsible for at least one major helicopter crash, The Associated Press (AP) reported. The city of Volos was particularly devastated. Images and videos online showed the mass devastation, as shared by AccuWeather.
Storm Elias dumped several months-worth of rain in less than a day as it swept across Greece, just weeks after Storm Daniel killed 17 people in the southern European nation.
Details: https://t.co/6ZooFYwMwW pic.twitter.com/9QfE0L8nic
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 28, 2023
“All of Volos has turned into a lake,” Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos told local media. “People’s lives are in danger. Even I remained trapped, and 80% of the city is without power … I don’t know where God found so much water. It’s like the story of Noah’s Ark.”
No deaths have been reported at this time, but emergency services are continuing with rescues, per The AP. At least 280 people were evacuated from Volos alone.
Today, Storm Elias brought heavy rains to Greece, including areas that were affected by Storm Daniel two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/f5CA7fbDNx
— CIRA (@CIRA_CSU) September 27, 2023
CIRA shared satellite imagery of Elias circulating over Europe on social media, which noted Storm Daniel devastated the area just weeks ago. Some 16 people were killed during the floods, which were preceded by equally as devastating wildfires that led to the evacuation of nearly 20,000 people. (RELATED: Ancient Discovery In Greece May Completely Rewrite The Human Story)
My goodness. Dangerous situation unfolding in Volos, Greece, one of the cities worst hit by Daniel just a few weeks ago, with numerous reports of flash flooding. An almost stationary severe thunderstorm associated with Storm Elias is currently sitting over the area. pic.twitter.com/vShCc2b55Z
— Nahel Belgherze (@WxNB_) September 27, 2023
Though Storm Elias is fading, its remnants will continue to bring heavy rain across the Mediterranean throughout the coming days, the Met Office reported.