Severe Weather Causes Fatalities and Disruptions in Athens

On January 21, 2026, a powerful storm struck Athens, Greece, unleashing nearly six months' worth of rain in less than a day. The extreme weather resulted in widespread flooding, leading to the deaths of two individuals: a 56-year-old woman in the suburb of Ano Glyfada and a 53-year-old Coast Guard officer in Astros Kynourias. The storm, characterized by torrential rain and gale-force winds, prompted emergency services to respond to over 900 flood-related calls across the capital.

Severe Weather Claims Two Lives as Storms Batter Greece

Kostas Lagouvardos, research director at the National Observatory in Athens, reported that the storm dumped up to 170 mm (6.7 inches) of rain, equating to approximately 40% of Athens' annual rainfall. The flooding caused significant disruptions, including traffic gridlock, power outages, and the closure of schools in several regions. Areas such as Glyfada, Voula, and Vouliagmeni were particularly hard-hit, with streets transformed into rivers.

Severe Weather Causes Major Disruptions in Athens

The Hellenic Police confirmed that the woman in Ano Glyfada was swept away by floodwaters while walking on Kyrillou Methodiou Street. She became trapped under a vehicle and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Coast Guard officer, while on duty, suffered fatal injuries from a wave while securing boats at the port of Astros.

?wo Dead in Ano Glyfada and Astros Kynourias Amid Severe Weather — Widespread Disruptions Across Greece (Videos)

Emergency services conducted numerous operations, including water pumping and tree removals, to mitigate the impact of the flooding. Authorities issued urgent evacuation advisories for residents in affected areas and imposed traffic diversions across Attica. The storm's effects extended beyond Athens, with northern Greece facing snowfall and freezing temperatures, prompting a red alert in several regions.

Two killed by high waves, floodwaters as severe weather hits Greece

Civil protection officials urged residents to stay indoors and avoid non-essential travel as the storm continued to pose risks. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection had previously issued a Code Red alert for multiple regions, including Attica and the Peloponnese, in anticipation of severe weather conditions.

Greece Severe Weather January 21 2026: Schools Closed in Attica, Ferries Cancelled, Red Alert Issued

In light of the recent storm, experts have reiterated calls for infrastructure improvements in Athens to better manage flooding risks. Past incidents of severe weather, including a devastating storm in September 2023 that resulted in 17 fatalities, have highlighted the need for enhanced floodworks. Critics argue that the rapid urbanization of the area has exacerbated vulnerabilities to extreme weather events.

France 24

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis canceled a planned trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to oversee the response to the storm. The Hellenic Coast Guard expressed deep sorrow over the loss of their officer, emphasizing the dangers faced by personnel in the line of duty.

France 24

• “The rainfall levels we anticipated were confirmed—and then some,” — Dimitris Ziakopoulos, Meteorologist

Severe Weather Claims Two Lives as Storms Batter Greece

• “We recorded up to 100 mm in Spetses, while in Megara and other parts of Attica, totals exceeded 140 mm.” — Kostas Lagouvardos, Research Director, National Observatory of Athens

Severe Weather Claims Two Lives as Storms Batter Greece

• “On Thursday, the storm’s vortex is expected to shift eastward.” — Meteorological Forecast

Severe Weather Claims Two Lives as Storms Batter Greece

Authorities remain vigilant as the storm system continues to affect large parts of Greece. Emergency services are on high alert to respond to any further flooding or disruptions, and residents are advised to stay updated through official channels.

Greece Severe Weather January 21 2026: Schools Closed in Attica, Ferries Cancelled, Red Alert Issued