A powerful storm named Byron continued to pound Greece for a second day Friday, unleashing heavy rains and floods that swamped homes, businesses and farmland across much of the country.
Mandra, a town west of Athens, was among the hardest hit, reviving memories of a 2017 disaster that killed 24 people. Streets turned into lakes and buildings were submerged, but officials said no casualties were reported this time.
The Fire Brigade said it received nearly 600 calls for assistance since Thursday, including 22 evacuations, 10 of them in Mandra. The National Observatory of Athens measured 251 millimeters of rain in nearby Nea Peramos, one of the highest 24‑hour totals since 2008.
Authorities credited recent anti‑flood works with preventing another tragedy but said more improvements are needed.
Over the past 48 hours, downpours, thunderstorms and strong winds damaged property and infrastructure from Zakynthos in the west to Crete and Rhodes in the southeast. Twelve of Greece’s 13 regions were placed under a “code red” alert through Saturday, with schools closed and officials urging residents to avoid travel.
The National Meteorological Service said severe weather is expected to persist until midday Saturday.