Rhodes floods sweep away vehicles weeks after deadly storm

Floodwaters swept away at least 60 vehicles and inundated dozens of homes and businesses on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday, as heavy rainfall from Storm Agneta triggered severe flooding in the village of Archangelos.

Floodwaters swept away at least 60 vehicles and inundated dozens of homes and businesses on the Greek island of Rhodes on Monday, as heavy rainfall from Storm Agneta triggered severe flooding in the village of Archangelos.

The village, on the island’s eastern coast, was among the worst-hit areas, with overflowing floodwaters turning streets into torrents and carrying cars and other objects through residential and commercial areas.

Some residents reportedly sought refuge on rooftops as water levels rose, while firefighters were called to pump water from flooded properties. Schools were closed in several municipal districts as a precaution.

The Fire Service, Civil Protection authorities and volunteers remained on alert as emergency crews dealt with flooding and hazardous conditions. Authorities also suspended traffic on sections of roads in Archangelos, Kolymbia and Kalathos and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

The Greek meteorological service warned of further heavy rain and thunderstorms in parts of the country through Tuesday, November 3, including the Ionian Islands, western Greece, Macedonia, Thrace and the Aegean islands.

Authorities urged residents to secure loose objects, avoid crossing flooded streams on foot or in vehicles and stay away from coastal areas during severe weather.

The latest flooding came less than three weeks after a 62-year-old man died on October 14 when floodwaters swept his car into the sea near Stegna beach, close to Archangelos. Four vehicles were reportedly carried into the water during that incident.

The National Observatory of Athens recorded 264 millimetres of rainfall on Rhodes by 12:50 pm on October 14, including 202 millimetres in about six and a half hours.

The latest floods have also renewed concerns about delays to a planned flood-protection project in Archangelos, which has secured funding of €5.16 million.

South Aegean regional governor Georgios Hatzimarkos said the project had not yet reached the construction stage. He said it could take about six months to complete the tendering process, followed by at least another year for construction.