Rhodes storm damage stretches across the island after torrential rain on Wednesday killed one man, flooded homes and hotels and cut off roads, prompting the mayor to seek a state of emergency.
A local weather station recorded 264 millimetres of rain in about six hours on Wednesday 14 October, triggering floods and landslides in many parts of the island, in the Dodecanese.
The man who died was a 62-year-old hotel worker. Floodwaters from an overflowing stream swept his car into the sea at Stegna, near Archangelos, and the Hellenic Coast Guard recovered his body.
Floodwaters carried a total of four vehicles into the sea in the same area. However, firefighters found no one inside the other three cars. Authorities have not officially released the man’s name.
Greek City Times reported the death at Stegna beach on Wednesday.
Rhodes storm damage to roads
The Rhodes storm damage extends to homes and businesses, while mud covered entire hotel complexes. Also, the Fire Service freed trapped drivers in several places, including Asgourou and Atavyrou Street in Rodini.
Dozens of cars became stuck on the Rhodes–Lindos road near Tsairi as water built up. Flooding also hit Archangelos, Faliraki, Afantou, Ialysos and the town of Rhodes.
In particular, a large boulder fell onto the Archangelos–Malona road in the Aithonas area, damaging the surface and the safety barriers. Landslides also blocked the Tsairi–airport road, the Archipoli–Kolymbia road and the area around Panagia Tsambika.
For safety reasons, authorities closed the bridge into Archangelos and sections of road in Afantou. At the same time, power cuts and telephone outages hit several parts of the island, and municipal bus services stopped for a time.
Schools and emergency request
Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis asked the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to declare a state of emergency on the island.
Throughout Wednesday, authorities urged residents to limit travel and stay away from roads and streams with fast-flowing water, and sent an alert through the 112 emergency number. Civil Protection, the Fire Service, police and volunteers took part in the response.
Archaeological sites on the island stayed closed on Wednesday, and the Municipality of Rhodes postponed a city council meeting.
Schools of all levels in Rhodes stayed shut on Thursday 15 October after the mayor extended the closure. The order also covers kindergartens, special schools, sports facilities, the Municipal Conservatory and municipal workshops, so crews can inspect buildings and record damage before children return.
Since Wednesday, local services have continued to record the Rhodes storm damage across the island.
Source: iefimerida
The post What the Rhodes Storm Leaves Behind appeared first on Greek City Times.