Greece’s Civil Protection authorities are on high alert awaiting for the Mediterranean Cyclone to strike the country. Fire Service. Police, Coast Guard and other state bodies are on alert to deploy teams to areas most hit by the Medicane. There is a sailing ban for ferries to the Aegean Sea as of Saturday morning (Sept 29th 2018) due to strong winds up to 9-10 Beaufort.
The Cyclone is forecast to strike with gale force winds up to 10 Beaufort and locally up to 12 B, torrential rainfalls, rough seas, waves with a height up to 7-8 meters and cause floods not only in coast areas.
Heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms are expected to initially strike South-West Peloponnese, South-West Crete, Central and East Peloponnese, East Sterea, Attica, as of Saturday afternoon (Sept 29/2018) Thessaly and the Sporades islands.
By Sunday dawn (Sept 30/2018) it is expected to strike North Aegean Sea, Macedonia and Thrace.
According to latest data provided by the National Meteorological Service, the focus of Medicane Zorbas will be the south and east of the country, whereas regions in East Central Greece are expected to be affected too.
In press conference at 9 o’ clock Saturday morning, Secretary General of Civil Protection Giannis Tafyllis said that the cyclone will strike:
- Peloponnese East Sterea, and Attica in the morning and early afternoon, the Sporades islands and East Thessaly as of the afternoon.
In contrast to earlier forecast affected will be also: East Macedonia, Thrace and the North Aegean Sea.
The only regions not affected by the cyclone are: North Ionian Sea, Epirus and West Macedonia.
Kythera screenshot from livecam at 9:15 a.m. Sept 29 2018
The island of Kythera off South Peloponnese is expected to be heavily affected by the Medicane.
The Civil Protection urges citizens to follow authorities advises and to note take risks.
In a short video, the Civil Protection displays basic protection measures during the Cyclone:
Σε αρκετές περιοχές της χώρας επικρατούν #ΈντοναΚαιρικάΦαινόμενα Είμαστε ιδιαίτερα προσεκτικοί και ενημερωνόμαστε για οδηγίες προστασίας pic.twitter.com/tkbJ73ndKc
— Civil Protection GR (@GSCP_GR) September 28, 2018
Avoid big trees and billboards, activities in the sea and at the shores,
Seek a safe place to exit a vehicle,
Do not cross streams and rivers,
Avoid areas where landslides and floods have occurred
In case of hale and heavy rainfall, citizens should seek immediate protection.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Greek Police: 100
Fire Service: 199
Ambulance: 166
Coast Guard: 168
European Emergency Number: 112
Greece’s National Meteorological Service and Civil Protection are issuing frequent updates about the Cylone’s path and the weather forecast.
