The national emergency service (112) issued urgent alerts on Wednesday evening, calling on residents to avoid all non-essential travel due to heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions.

“Due to intense rainfall and landslides, restrict your movements to only what is absolutely necessary,” the 112 alert warned. According to meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas, the storm’s cloud tops over Aetolia-Acarnania reached an estimated 11 kilometers in height — an indicator of extreme atmospheric instability.

Corfu: Streets Turn Into Rivers, Fire Department Overwhelmed

The storm reached Corfu around 19:30, and within an hour, entire neighborhoods were flooded. Streets in areas such as Kokkini, Potamos, and Kyra Chrysikou were inundated, with the Fire Service receiving continuous calls for water pumping and rescue assistance. A fallen tree in Kyra Chrysikou caused additional damage, while rising waters in Afra threatened to overflow the local river.

Local authorities also reported landslides in Agioi Deka, Benitses, and Dassia. Conditions in Alepou and Triklino deteriorated rapidly, with streams overflowing into residential areas.

Mayor of Central Corfu, Stefanos Poulimenos, warned that the river in the area was at risk of breaching its banks. Flooding even reached the municipal council building, forcing the cancellation of Wednesday’s scheduled meeting.

Road conditions remain dangerous. The road at Agioi Deka has been closed due to a landslide, and traffic has been cut off on Spirou Peroulaki Street in Potamos. Police have also banned access to Spiros Armenis Street, which has turned into a torrent.

Air travel has been affected as well: an Aegean Airlines flight from Athens to Corfu was forced to return to Athens after failing to land safely due to severe weather.

Emergency responders also assisted a woman who had recently undergone a Caesarean section and required urgent hospital care.

Aetolia-Acarnania: Flooding in Villages, Heavy Debris Flow

In Zeugraki, Agrinio, a massive flow of debris from a nearby stream swept into residential streets, flooding homes and trapping residents. Municipal technical teams were deployed immediately, using heavy machinery to remove debris and restore water flow.

Intense rainfall is also affecting Rivio and Chaliki Aetolikou, where streams are nearing overflow levels. Authorities warn that further flooding remains likely if rainfall continues at the current pace.

Schools Closed in Corfu and Xiromero

Due to the severity of the storm, all primary and secondary schools, as well as nursery and childcare centers, in the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands will remain closed on Thursday, November 27, 2025.

The Municipality of Xiromero has issued the same order, citing unsafe conditions, fallen walls, landslides, and the general difficulty of student access to school buildings.

Weather Outlook: Thunderstorms, Large Hail Possible

Meteorologist Thodoris Kolydas issued a new warning outlining a further deterioration over the next 24 hours. Western Greece — especially the western Peloponnese and the Ionian Sea — faces the highest risk. Forecasts indicate:

• Intense lightning activity
• Large hail, especially in Ilia, Achaea, Messinia, and coastal Aetolia-Acarnania
• Strong winds that may cause rapid water accumulation
• Enhanced instability due to atmospheric dynamics at 500 hPa

Eastern Macedonia and Thrace will also be affected, with severe thunderstorms expected in Kavala, Pangaio, Serres, Drama, southwestern Rodopi, and coastal Xanthi.

The most intense phenomena will occur over the Ionian Islands, western mainland Greece, the Peloponnese, and parts of northern Greece. Localized storms may also affect Athens and Thessaloniki.

The bad weather is expected to continue through Friday, shifting eastward toward the Eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese.