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Storm Batters Greece, Killing One, Flooding Homes and Disrupting Travel
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
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Quick Summary
A powerful storm named Erminio struck Greece on April 2, 2026, killing one man in Nea Makri, flooding dozens of homes, bringing dust‑laden winds, halting ferry services, and forcing travel disruptions across Attica, Crete, and the Aegean.
Severe Storm Floods Greece, Leaves One Dead and Halts Ferries, Flights
Impact and Aftermath of the Erminio Storm
Fatalities and Flooding in Affected Regions
ATHENS, April 2 (Reuters) - A man died and dozens of homes were flooded after heavy rain and gale-force winds battered Greece, leaving authorities rushing to repair damage on Thursday.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Greek authorities have recovered the body of a man in the seaside holiday town of Nea Makri, 35 kilometres (21.75 miles) northeast of Athens, a fire brigade official told Reuters on Thursday. The man was believed to have been carried away by a torrent and trapped under a car as he attempted to cross a flooded street, local media reported.
Emergency Response and Infrastructure Damage
The fire brigade said it has received hundreds of calls to rescue people trapped in floodwater and help clear roads of fallen trees as the Erminio storm swept through Athens and several islands in the Aegean Sea on Wednesday.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts
Early on Thursday, crews were still removing debris, pumping water from flooded buildings and repairing damaged infrastructure east of the capital. Authorities also banned some ferries from sailing from the port of Piraeus near Athens to the Greek islands.
Disruption to Transportation and Weather Phenomena
Flight and Ferry Cancellations
On the Mediterranean island of Crete, skies turned an eerie orange on Wednesday as winds of up to force 9 on the Beaufort scale carried dust from North Africa, disrupting flights.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather in Greece
Greece, which sits at Europe's southernmost tip, has suffered destructive floods and wildfires in recent years, which analysts attribute to a rapidly warming climate.
(Reporting by Stamos Prousalis, Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Ros Russell)
Key Takeaways
- •One person died in Nea Makri after floodwaters swept a car over him and trapped him underneath
- •Storm Erminio triggered widespread flooding, hundreds of rescue calls, debris removal, port closures and ferry bans at Piraeus and other major ports
- •A Saharan dust cloud (‘calima’) turned skies orange, reduced visibility, raised health concerns, and led to flight diversions in Crete
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Storm batters Greece, killing one, flooding homes and disrupting travel
1What caused significant flooding in Greece this week?
Heavy rain and gale-force winds from the Erminio storm caused major flooding in Athens, Nea Makri, and several islands.
2Were there any fatalities due to the storm in Greece?
Yes, a man died in Nea Makri after being swept away by floodwaters and trapped under a car.
3How has travel been affected by the storm in Greece?
Authorities banned some ferry routes from Piraeus and flights were disrupted on Crete due to severe weather and dust from North Africa.
4Which areas in Greece were most affected by the storm?
Athens, Nea Makri, the Aegean islands, and Crete were the hardest hit regions.
5What measures are authorities taking following the storm in Greece?
Emergency crews are clearing debris, pumping flooded buildings, and repairing infrastructure, while some travel routes remain suspended.
