Bad weather Gaia: Message from 112 in southern Crete, Samos and Dodecanese

A meeting was held today at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection with the participation of the leadership of the ministry as well as meteorologists to assess the development of the bad weather called GAIA, which has been affecting areas of the country since yesterday, as well as the new meteorological data.

In the context of the meeting, the development of the weather phenomena so far was examined and it was decided that 112 would be activated to send warning messages to the residents of specific areas, depending on the course of the phenomena.

Earlier today, messages via 112 were sent to the residents of southern Crete, Samos and the Dodecanese, warning them of dangerous weather conditions in their area in the next few hours and calling on them to limit travel to the absolutely necessary.

Specifically, the messages state: “Dangerous weather phenomena (strong storms-stormy winds) from noon until the early evening of 11/12 in southern Crete and from the afternoon until the morning of 12/12 in Samos and the Dodecanese. Limit movements to those absolutely necessary and follow authorities’ instructions. Self-protection instructions: https://www.civilprotection.gr/el/entona-kairika-fainomena”.

In addition, yesterday, three warning messages were sent by 112, for extreme weather phenomena in Epirus, Aitoloakarnania and Peloponnese.

In total, from yesterday until this Sunday morning, the Operations Center of the Fire Department received 83 calls, mainly for cutting trees but also removing objects and pumping water.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection is on full alert and has informed the competent government agencies involved, the regions and municipalities of the country so that they are on increased civil protection readiness to immediately deal with the effects of the event severe weather phenomena.

In addition, the operational plan of the Fire Brigade, to deal with risks from the occurrence of floods as well as their accompanying phenomena, has been implemented from Friday 9 December 2022, while the Fire Services of the areas where the phenomena are expected to occur, have been put in a state of increased readiness and further escalation if required, in order to deal with any problems immediately.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection addresses recommendations to citizens to be especially careful, taking measures to protect themselves from risks arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena in view of the worsening of the weather.

In particular, in areas where heavy rains, storms or gale-force winds are predicted, the Public Health Service recommends that citizens:

– Secure objects which, if carried away by severe weather conditions, may cause damage or injury.

– To make sure that the gutters and downspouts of the houses are not blocked and are working properly.

– Avoid crossing torrents and streams, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, but also for several hours after the end of their event

– Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).

– Take shelter immediately during a hailstorm. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure the storm has passed. Hail can be very dangerous for animals too.

– Avoid passing under large trees, under posted signs and in general areas where light objects (e.g. pots, broken glass, etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (e.g. under balconies ).

– To faithfully follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as Traffic, etc.

It is noted that according to the update of the Emergency Bulletin of Dangerous Weather Phenomena issued today Sunday, December 11, 2022 by the National Meteorological Service (NMS), the bad weather system named “GAIA” from the afternoon hours of Sunday (11-12-2022) begins to fade.

Locally strong phenomena will continue to occur in western Greece until the afternoon, in the Cyclades, Crete, eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the islands of the eastern Aegean until the evening and in the Dodecanese until late at night.

It is noted that the phenomena will be particularly intense in western and southern Crete, in the islands of the eastern Aegean (from Samos and further south) and in the Dodecanese.

Citizens can be updated daily on the development of extraordinary weather phenomena in the regular weather reports of EMY and on the website of EMY at the online address www.emy.gr.

For information and announcements regarding the prevailing situation and the passability of the road network due to the inflow of flood waters, citizens can visit the EL.AS website. www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and self-protection instructions from severe weather, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.

RES-EMP

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