The General Secretariat of Civil Protection has issued instructions to citizens to deal with the extraordinary weather phenomena expected today and tomorrow – in accordance with the updated Emergency Weather Deterioration Bulletin (EDEK) of the EMY – in many regions of the country.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection has informed the competent services to be on increased civil protection readiness, in order to immediately deal with the effects of the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In detail, the announcement of the General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection

According to the updated Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin (EDEK) issued today Sunday 11 June 2023 by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), the weather in our country is expected to deteriorate today Sunday (11-06-2023) and tomorrow Monday (12 -06-2023) with the intensity of the phenomena of instability in the midday and afternoon hours in the continental areas, where heavy rains and storms will occur, which will be accompanied in places by a high frequency of lightning and hail.

The areas that will be affected are:

Macedonia (including Thessaloniki), Epirus, Thessaly, Central Greece (including Attica), Evia as well as the central and northeastern Peloponnese.

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.

The General Secretariat of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection (civilprotection.gov.gr) has informed the competent government agencies involved in the service, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, so that they are on increased civil protection readiness, in order to face directly the effects of the occurrence of intense weather phenomena.

At the same time, the General Secretariat of Civil Protection recommends that citizens be particularly careful, taking measures to protect themselves from risks arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, storms or gale-force winds are expected to occur:

To secure objects which, if carried away by severe weather conditions, may cause damage or injury.
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 shelter 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.
In areas with intense lightning activity:

If you are at home

Do not hold electrical appliances or the telephone as lightning can pass through the wires. Disconnect the TV sets from the antenna and the power supply.
Avoid touching plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.
If you are in the car

Park it on the side of the road and away from trees that might fall on it.
Stay inside and turn on your stop warning lights (emergency lights) until the storm clears.
Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outdoors

Take refuge in a building or car or sit on the ground immediately without lying down.
Take cover under solid branches of low trees if you are in the woods.
Never take shelter under a tall tree in an open area.
Avoid low-lying lands for the risk of flooding.
Do not stand next to utility poles, power lines, telephone lines and fences.
Do not approach metal objects (eg cars, bicycles, camping equipment, etc.).
Stay away from rivers, lakes or other bodies of water.
If you are in the sea, get out immediately.
If you’re isolated on a flat surface and feel your hair stand on end (signaling that lightning is about to strike), sit deep with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface area and contact with the ground ) by throwing the metal objects you have on you.
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.

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