Severe weather battered the Greek island of Kefalonia on Thursday, triggering floods and landslides that trapped families in their vehicles and prompted emergency rescue operations.
The southern region of Livathos bore the brunt of the storm, with tonnes of mud blocking roads and forcing firefighters to launch rescue operations for people trapped in their cars.
Weather stations across the island recorded significant rainfall by 1830 local time, with the area of Argostoli measuring 145mm, Kipouria in Paliki recording 131mm, and the Skala-Poros region reaching 110mm.
In Peratata’s plain, near the Monastery of Agios Andreas Milapidias, heavy rains caused streams to overflow, resulting in extensive damage. Firefighters were called to pump water from flooded homes.
The Regional Unit of Kefalonia deployed 12 machines to clear roadways and remove debris, as vast areas of farmland and roads transformed into waterways.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation amid warnings of potential further weather deterioration in the coming hours.
“The water nearly entered my house. We tried to hold it back with whatever we had, but the intensity of the rain was unprecedented,” said a local resident, expressing concern about widespread property damage.
The severe weather has caused significant disruption to Livathos’s road network, infrastructure, and mobility, according to local media outlet Kefaloniapress. Many drivers remained stranded for hours while attempting to leave the affected areas.
