Central Greece Battles Aftermath of Twin Storms: Flooding, Infrastructure Damage, and Environmental Concerns

Bad weather eased in central Greece on Friday, revealing the devastating impact left behind by two powerful storms within a month.

Widespread flooding and infrastructure damage plagued the farming region, as the aftermath of storms Daniel and Elias wreaked havoc on the area.

Amidst the severe weather, a helicopter crashed into the sea, tragically claiming the life of a pilot.

The missing pilot's body was located by divers a day later, adding to the distressing toll of the twin storms.

In the storm-hit city of Volos, residents faced continued hardships as power and water outages persisted in some districts for a third day.

Municipal workers distributed bottled water to alleviate the strain on communities grappling with the aftermath of the storms.

Rescue crews, utilizing excavators, worked tirelessly to clear debris-strewn roads, opening access to remote areas blocked by the wreckage.

The two storms, Daniel and Elias, relentlessly hit central Greece and the island of Evia over a span of three weeks in September.

The destructive force of the storms resulted in the loss of 16 lives and the tragic deaths of several hundred thousand farm animals.

Additionally, the storms caused extensive damage to highways, secondary roads, and the rail network, severely impacting transportation infrastructure.

In the city of Volos, Georgia Sirtarioti, a 76-year-old resident, stood at the doorway of her damaged home, overwhelmed with grief.

Her son, Apostolis, diligently swept mud off the floor, striving to restore normalcy despite the emotional toll.

Sirtarioti, emotionally distraught, expressed her anguish, stating that death would have been a preferable outcome compared to the destruction witnessed.

As central Greece battled the aftermath of twin storms, another weather event, Storm Hans, wreaked havoc in Northern Europe.

Heavy rains and strong winds caused widespread disruption, further adding to the relentless challenges faced by communities across Europe.

The city of Volos, still struggling with power and water disruptions, was a stark example of the enduring impact of the recent storms.

Despite the improving weather on Friday, authorities warned of the ongoing risk of additional flooding in several central cities and towns.

River banks remained vulnerable to high water levels, keeping the threat of flooding at a heightened level.

The Greek government acknowledged the tremendous damage caused, with the cost estimated to be over $2.1 billion even before the latest storm hit.

Committing to assist affected residents, the government sought financial aid from the European Union during this time of crisis.

The government, recognizing the urgent need to address the effects of climate change, declared it a national priority.

However, environmental groups raised concerns over the government's apparent lack of action in curbing offshore natural gas exploration and infrastructure development.

Greenpeace and the World Wide Fund for Nature issued a legal notice to the Greek energy ministry, demanding the cancellation of a liquefied natural gas plant in a remote northeast region recently devastated by wildfires.

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