Greece storm front brings gale-force winds, flooding, and Saharan dust red skies over Crete

A powerful storm front hit Greece with gale-force winds and widespread flooding, killing one man near Athens and prompting about 500 Fire Department calls. Saharan dust mixed with the weather system, turning skies over Crete deep red. Power cuts, fallen trees, and flooded streets disrupted travel in Athens and across Aegean islands.

A strong storm system hit Greece over the last 24 hours. It brought flooding and gale-force winds across many areas. Greek media said one man died during the severe weather. Over Crete, the sky turned a deep red. The colour came as the storm mixed with dust from the Sahara.

Greek media said the dead man was 55 years old. Reports said surging waters swept the man in Nea Makri. The town sits about 25 kilometres northeast of Athens. The man became trapped under a car during the incident. Emergency services responded as flooding spread through the area.

Greece storm brings flood rescues and emergency calls

Fire Department official Yiannis Tsingas told state radio that fire engines responded to some 500 calls for assistance including cutting felled trees, pumping water out of flooded homes and rescuing 33 people trapped by the high floodwaters. The responses covered several locations. Crews worked through the worst of the downpours.

Power cuts were reported in several suburbs of Athens. In the city centre, fallen trees blocked routes. Floodwater also stalled cars and slowed traffic. Many roads became hard to pass for hours. Authorities dealt with both safety risks and travel delays. The problems increased as rain kept falling.

Greece storm disrupts Aegean islands and coastal areas

Across other Aegean islands, the weather caused new problems. Streets filled with water and began to run like small rivers. Rough seas made conditions worse along coasts. Heavy rain hit low areas and spread fast. Coastal communities faced damage as waves and rainfall came together.

On Paros, the floodwater carried away vehicles. A small bridge also collapsed during the storm. The island’s mayor said schools were closed on Thursday. Local officials monitored roads and structures. The closures aimed to reduce risk as crews assessed damage. Travel remained difficult in several parts.

The storm’s effects stretched from the mainland to island groups. Crete’s red sky highlighted the mix of wind and Saharan dust. On the mainland, Nea Makri recorded the only reported death. Fire crews handled hundreds of calls, with rescues among them. Power cuts and blocked roads showed the scale of disruption.

With inputs from PTI