In brief
The recent weather conditions in Greece have led to one fatality and significant disruptions across the country. A man was discovered under a car in Nea Makri following severe storms, which brought gale-force winds and flooding, while Crete experienced a Saharan dust storm that turned the skies orange. The national meteorological service has issued warnings for continued adverse weather, including heavy rainfall and possible hail.
A man has died near Athens as a storm hits parts of Greece with gale-force winds and flooding, while a Saharan dust storm enveloped the island of Crete.
The man was found under a car in the Nea Makri rural area early on Thursday, according to the fire department.
Storm Erminio has flooded streets, closed some schools, and moored ferries. Meanwhile, some flights were disrupted on Crete on Wednesday after dust from an African storm filled the air, turning the sky red-orange.
The weather is expected to be bad on Thursday in most areas of the country with long-lasting and intense rains and storms and possibly with local hail, according to the national meteorological service.
A red warning is in place in Crete, mainly in the west and south, from midday until late at night on Thursday. The fire department received 674 calls for assistance from Wednesday through the early hours of Thursday, primarily in the Attica region that encompasses Athens, with most calls regarding fallen trees.
High winds have kept ferries moored in ports, with Greek media reporting some departures may resume on Thursday, weather permitting. Streets, as well as the basement of the local police station in Nea Makri, were flooded. A bridge was knocked down on the island of Poros, and vehicles have reportedly been swept away. Some schools have also been closed.
