Bad weather Barbara will hit Attica again with particular severity since snowfalls are expected. The instructions of Civil Protection
From the first evening hours tonight, a new wave of snowfall is expected, which will be heavy at times, according to the latest forecast data from the National Observatory of Athens / Meteo.gr.
Observatory scientists point out that “accurate forecasting for the spatial and temporal determination of heavy snowfall is not always easy, and continuous study of the latest forecast data is required.”
The instructions from the General Secretariat of Civil Protection
For the snowfall
If you live in a mountainous or inaccessible area that faces problems from snowfall
Stock up on heating material and food for several days.
Provide snow removal equipment (eg shovels).
During a snowfall or blizzard
If you are at home
Keep it warm and stay in it as long as you can.
Do not let children go out unaccompanied.
Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.
Check the water supply network, the pipes and the glass of the solar water heater.
If you are in the car
Avoid driving in difficult mountainous areas.
Change course if you are on a rough road and there is heavy snow.
Keep a safe distance from the vehicles in front.
Stay in the car if it stalls. Place a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna or in another prominent place so that rescue teams can spot you. Run the engine for 10 minutes every hour and keep the exhaust clear of snow.
If you are outdoors
Get to a safe place without being exposed to the blizzard.
Dress in several layers of light and warm clothing instead of a heavy suit and wear warm waterproof boots. Prefer a waterproof outer garment.
Be careful when traveling in areas where snowfall is predicted.
Use snow chains if it is absolutely necessary to travel by car. It is preferable to travel during the day using main roads. Inform your loved ones about the route you will follow.
Prefer public transport for moving around the city.
Frost
In areas where frost has formed caution is required when driving. Be aware of road conditions and have snow chains.
If moving on foot, wear suitable shoes to avoid injuries due to slipperiness.
In residential water supply networks
Find out where your home’s water meter (clock) is located as well as where the central and peripheral water supply switches are located.
Check and make sure the water mains switches turn on and off and operate smoothly.
Ensure that external pipes (eg solar water heater, balcony taps) are insulated, otherwise get them insulated as soon as possible.
Isolate or better drain the solar water heater network if you are going to be away for a long time during the winter. Set your home heating system to automatically operate at low temperatures.
Turn off the water supply to the solar water heater and drain the water from the system if you are at home during frost and especially at night.
Don’t waste water recklessly to remove snow and ice.
Limit activities that require increased water consumption (washing machines, etc.).
Find out if antifreeze has been installed in the solar water heater by the manufacturer or installation specialist, in case of a closed circuit. If not, get the appropriate antifreeze and take care of its placement.
Check for leaks in faucets or cisterns.
Make sure gutters on balconies and roofs are clear of leaves and debris and are working smoothly.
When there is frost
If the central water pipes freeze
Immediately turn off the main water supply switch of the house and check the water meter.
If it continues to work (“writes”) then there is a leak in the network. Turn off the central supply switch and call a plumber.
If you decide to defrost the pipes, start from the part of the pipe near the switch so that the temperature change is gradual. If you have no results contact a plumber.
Check if electrical installations are wet or at risk to isolate them.
State apparatus
The Civil Protection mechanism of the Attica Region is fully mobilized to deal with bad weather, with the safety of citizens as a priority
The Civil Protection mechanism of the Attica Region is in full mobilization to deal with the consequences of the bad weather.
In his announcement, the regional governor warmly thanks the staff of the Region, the deputy regional governors and the management staff “who work day and night for the convenience of the citizens”, as well as the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Chr. Stylianidis, the political leadership of the involved ministries, the mayors and the responsible officials of the municipalities.
He also particularly thanks the management of EKAV for the excellent cooperation, in terms of serving kidney patients, with the Region’s vehicles, underlining: “Our priority is the safety of the citizens and in this direction we will continue our efforts, within the framework of our responsibilities us”.
The Civil Protection mechanism has been operating on the road network of the Region since the early hours of the morning with 126 machines and personnel under the instructions of Mr. Patoulis and the coordination of the competent deputy regional governor V. Kokkalis, as follows:
61 large snow plows, 27 small 4X4 snow plows for municipal roads and street cleaning where there is a need, e.g. the roads leading to hospitals such as the Children’s Hospital and Sismanoglio, 35 JCB loaders for salt transport and snow removal and 3 platforms for removing stranded vehicles.
At the same time, with 4 4X4 vehicles, the Region, in consultation with EKAB, serves from the morning cases of transporting kidney patients, while the vehicles are also available for any of our fellow citizens who have an immediate need to be transported to a health facility or are trapped in their home.
As far as the snow removal of the roads is concerned, priority was given to the largest road axes such as Kifissou, Athens – NEOAK-parallel E.O. Athens – Lamia, with the latter being particularly important, since the N.E.O. Athens Lamia periodically interrupted the operation of Mesogion, Kifisia, Lavrio avenues, etc. which, despite extremely adverse weather conditions, remained open continuously.
Only Katehaki in the early hours of Monday morning was closed as a precaution for 45 minutes, in consultation with the Traffic Police in order to carry out snow removal immediately, while Schistos Avenue was similarly treated, which was closed for approximately 1 hour in the evening hours.
It is noted that the competence of the Region on Kifissou Avenue reaches up to the junction of Attikis Odos and beyond this point, Nea Odos has the responsibility for maintenance, while the blocking or not of the street falls under the competences of the Traffic Police.
It is pointed out that the contribution of the heavy vehicle – Jet Broom – with a special blade of 5.5 meters in length, capable of clearing snow in 2 lanes at the same time at an extremely high speed (50-60km/hr), hot air spraying and salt capacity of 9 tons, is a catalyst. in which the major roads remained open: Kifisou, Katehaki, Mesogeion and Kifisias, while we also met on the Attiki road at the exit of the Regional Ymittos.
Also, for the faster supply of snow removal machines, 9 open-air storage areas of anti-freezing salt are in operation, where the neighboring municipalities also had access, which were almost universally granted an additional amount of 250 tons of salt. Finally, the Region informs that there will be preventive salting on the road network in the early evening hours.
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