Storm ‘Elena’ Brings Christmas Chaos to Attica and Evia

The intense storm ‘Elena’ wreaked havoc in the Attica road network on Christmas day, Dec 25. Torrential rainfall in the broader Athens area turned roads into rivers, bringing vehicle movement to a near standstill.

Due to water accumulation, major traffic closures were reported on Poseidonos Avenue from Alimos Avenue to Kalamaki Avenue, in the direction toward Piraeus, in the Alimos area. Roads were flooded, hindering traffic, while the Fire Brigade received more than 20 calls to pump water from homes and shops.

The situation remained critical through the early morning hours, with vehicles facing extreme difficulty. By 8:00 a.m., authorities managed to reopen one lane as floodwaters began to recede.

Elsewhere in Attica, due to the severe storm, Parnitha Avenue remained closed beyond the casino area, while Karamanlis Avenue, also experienced heavy rainfall which also caused water accumulation, hindering traffic flow.

The severe storm that hit Athens also caused substantial damage in Evia, Greece’s second largest island, situated about an hour’s drive from the capital. As local media report, the Messapios River which flows across the island began to swell late Wednesday night, prompting authorities to stay on alert.

By Christmas afternoon, severe flooding had inundated roads in the village of Maletiani, part of the Kymi municipal district. The heavy rainfall also resulted in the disruption of the local water supply network.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging caution as cleanup and repair efforts are underway.