Recommendations to the citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures against risks arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena, the general secretariat addresses Civil Protection in front of her worsening weather.

At the same time, the GPP has informed the competent state 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 immediately deal with the effects of the occurrence of intense weather phenomena.

Also, according to a statement from the Fire Department, the operational plan is being implemented to deal with the risks of floods and their accompanying phenomena, while the Fire Services of the areas where the phenomena are expected to occur, have been placed in a state of increased readiness and further escalation if required, in order to deal immediately with any problems arising from the occurrence of severe weather phenomena.

In particular, in areas where heavy rains, storms or gale-force winds are predicted, the Public Health Service recommends to 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 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 (eg pots, broken glass etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (eg 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 the 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 shelter 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 land 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.).

• Move 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 (indicating that lightning is about to strike), take a deep seat with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface and contact with ground) by throwing the metal objects you have on you.

It is noted that according to the Emergency Deterioration of Weather Bulletin (EDEK) issued today by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), unstable air masses coming from the northwestern Balkans to our region will cause a deterioration of the weather mainly in the central and northern areas from Wednesday (07/03/24) midday to late afternoon on Thursday (07-04-24) with heavy rain and storms that will be accompanied by high frequency of lightning and local hail.

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 civilprotection.gov.gr