The severe weather front “Bora” has wreaked havoc on Rhodes and Lemnos, hitting them with full force. Residents on both islands were prohibited from moving around, as another wave of severe weather could not be ruled out. According to the Emergency Bulletin issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), the intense weather phenomena are expected to subside by Tuesday morning, as the bad weather persists.

The Emergency Bulletin for Hazardous Weather Phenomena states that the “Bora” system will continue to bring rain and thunderstorms to many regions across the country, which will be locally severe until the early hours of Tuesday (December 3, 2024).

More specifically, severe rain and thunderstorms are expected:

a. In Central Macedonia (Halkidiki and Pieria prefectures) until early Monday morning (December 2, 2024).
b. In the northern and eastern Aegean islands until midday Monday (December 2, 2024).
c. In the western and southern Peloponnese until midday Monday (December 2, 2024).
d. In Thessaly until Monday evening (December 2, 2024).
e. In the Sporades and the Dodecanese at intervals until early Tuesday morning (December 3, 2024).
f. In the Cyclades from midday Monday (December 2, 2024) until early Tuesday morning (December 3, 2024).

Bora Weather Front: Exceptionally High Rainfall Over the Weekend

The severe “Bora” weather system, which is currently in progress, delivered exceptionally high rainfall amounts during Saturday, November 30, and Sunday, December 1. The prefectures of Halkidiki, Pieria, Imathia, Pella, and the islands of Rhodes, Lemnos, and Thasos have been heavily affected. Significant rainfall levels were also recorded in many other areas across the country.

Notably, rainfall was recorded by all meteorological stations of meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens.

The map shows the cumulative rainfall totals for the 44-hour period ending at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, as recorded by 486 automatic meteorological stations of the meteo.gr/National Observatory of Athens network, highlighting the 10 highest readings.

Bora Weather Front: Fire Department’s Response

The intensity of the weather phenomenon is reflected in the Fire Department’s response, which received 3,024 calls from 11 a.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. today.

Specifically:

• In Central Macedonia: 1,660 calls, with the following actions:
  • 1,039 tree removals
  • 50 object removals
  • 45 water pumpings
  • 8 rescues to safe locations
• On the island of Lemnos: 115 calls, with the following actions:
  • 60 water pumpings
  • 36 rescues to safe locations
• On the island of Chios: 31 calls, with the following actions:
  • 2 tree removals
  • 14 water pumpings
  • 1 rescue to a safe location
• On the island of Rhodes: 1,200 calls, with the following actions:
  • 8 tree removals
  • 450 water pumping inspections, with action taken in 60 cases
  • 80 rescues to safe locations
• In Eastern Macedonia and Thrace: 18 calls, with the following actions:
  • 14 tree removals
  • 4 water pumpings

The Aftermath of Bora

Rhodes Mayor Requests State of Emergency

Due to the extensive damage caused by the severe weather, Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis has requested that the island be declared in a state of emergency.

At midday, the Rhodes Town Hall hosted another meeting of the Civil Protection Coordinating Body, with the participation of South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos and Mayor Alexandros Koliadis. The goal was to assess the situation and plan the next steps.

Rhodes has faced the most severe flooding event in its history over the past 48 hours.

According to South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Hatzimarkos, residents of Rhodes endured an extremely challenging night.

Απίστευτα πράγματα. Τι θα φανερωθει με το πρώτο φως της ημέρας.#Ρόδος #Κακοκαιρία_BORA #πλημμύρες #κακοκαιρία pic.twitter.com/PpxmCnAKca

— Εποχικοί Πυροσβέστες (@epoxpyrosvestes) December 1, 2024

Νύχτα κόλαση στη #Ροδο

Μεταβαίνουν με έκτακτη πτήση στο νησί δυνάμεις της #ΕΜΑΚ και της #ΕΜΟΔΕ

Εκατοντάδες κλήσεις για εγκλωβισμένους ομως το προσωπικό δεν επαρκεί. Την ίδια στιγμή οι Εποχικοί Πυροσβέστες του νησιού άνεργοι.#πλημμύρες #κακοκαιρια_Bora #Ροδος pic.twitter.com/0FcTDxcqeq

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— Εποχικοί Πυροσβέστες (@epoxpyrosvestes) December 1, 2024

Lekkas on Rhodes: Rainfall Reached 75% of Valencia’s Levels

As emphasized by the president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (EPPO), Efthymios Lekkas, “On one hand, we have the risk. What does this risk entail? It lies in the amount of rainfall, its intensity, severity, direction, and certain other factors—primarily, though, in the volume and intensity of the rain. This is an extreme risk. According to instrumental data, we recorded over 300 millimeters of rainfall. In essence, it approached Valencia’s rainfall levels, which exceeded 400 millimeters. It reached about 75% of Valencia’s total. While it didn’t match Valencia, we are nonetheless dealing with an extreme phenomenon, a very high risk compounded by significant vulnerability.

What is vulnerability? It’s what I mentioned earlier: constructions built within the riverbed—not just alongside it—and poorly executed technical works from 60 to 70 years ago. Furthermore, there’s the severing of the riverbed where it flows into the sea. You’ve seen it; the situation is strikingly clear.”