The bad weather, which is already causing particularly intense phenomena with heavy rains and storms, a high frequency of lightning, strong winds in the Aegean and a noticeable drop in temperature, will continue until today in the afternoon hours, causing very high levels of rain, according to the updated Emergency Hazard Bulletin of Weather Phenomena (EDEKF) issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY).

Heavy rains and storms are predicted in Thessaly, Sporades, central and eastern Sterea (mainly the prefectures of Evrytania, Fthiotida) and northern Evia. From very early in the morning, mainly in the easternmost parts of Thessaly and the Sporades, intensity of the phenomena is expected. From late afternoon the phenomena will weaken.

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.

Recommendations of Civil Protection to citizens

Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures from risks arising from the manifestation of intense weather phenomena, the general secretariat of Civil Protection addresses again.

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

– To 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 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 through 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 devices or the telephone because the 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 the windows and do not touch metal objects.

-Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outdoors

-Take refuge in a building or a car otherwise sit on the ground immediately without lying down.

-Protect yourself under solid branches of low trees in case you are in a forest.

-Never take shelter under a tall tree in an open area.

-Avoid low lands for the risk of flooding.

-Do not stand next to utility poles, power lines, telephone lines and fences.

– Do not approach metal objects (e.g. 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 are isolated on a flat surface and feel your hair stand on end (a fact that indicates that lightning is about to occur), take a deep seat with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface and your contact with ground) by throwing the metal objects you have on you.