GET READY

 

If you live in an area that has had flood problems in the past

In case you are informed about the event of heavy rainfall in your area:

  • Make sure that the drainage system outside your home is not clogged up and the gutters are working properly;
  • Limit your travel and avoid working and staying in basements.

 

DURING A FLOOD EVENT

If you are inside a building

  • Leave underground spaces and move to a safe high point.

 

If you are outdoors

  • Do not cross a watercourse on foot or by car.
  • Stay away from power lines.
  • Leave your car if it has stopped moving as it may be swept away or flooded.
  • Do not approach areas where landslides have occurred.

 

AFTER A FLOOD EVENT

If you are outdoors

  • Stay away from areas that have been flooded or are at risk of flooding again in the coming hours.
    – the flood may have changed the characteristics of familiar areas and the waters may have swept away parts of the road, sidewalks, etc.
    – there might be dangers arising from damaged roads, areas with dangerous slopes, mudflats, etc.
    – The water may be contaminated if it has carried rubbish, objects and dead animals.
  • Be careful not to obstruct rescue crews.
  • Do not approach areas where landslides and rock falls have occurred.
  • Check if your home or workplace is at risk of falling rocks.

If you must walk or drive in flooded areas

  • Try to find stable ground.
  • Avoid flowing water.
  • If you find yourself in front of a flooded road, stop and change direction.
  • Avoid stagnant water. They may be good conductors of electricity as they hide underground cables or leaks from installations.
  • Follow closely the instructions of the competent authorities.

 

WHAT TO DO DURING THE RESTORATION OF DAMAGES

Before you begin the recovery process

  • Remember that flood risks do not subside immediately after the waters recede.
  • Make sure that the area where your home or workplace is located is safe and then return to it, especially if there has been a previous evacuation.
  • Turn off the power, even if the power is off in your area.
  • Turn off the water supply to prevent damage to the water supply network.

When inspecting a flooded building

  • Wear protective footwear to avoid injuries from objects or irregularities in the ground that are hidden by water.
  • Examine walls, doors, stairs and windows.
  • Examine the electricity, water and sewerage networks.

Kifissos 2nd Sept 2002

Floods are the second most common natural disaster after forest fires.

Flooding is caused by heavy rains and severe storms, rising river levels or melting snow. It also happens that a dam subsides and in this case the consequences are very big.

Flooding from natural causes either develops slowly or belongs to the category of flash (sudden) flooding, which is the most common phenomenon in Greece and Cyprus. In these regions, floods are mainly due to torrential rains, which accompany the passage of low atmospheric pressure systems.

Flash floods are the result of atmospheric disturbances, accompanied by rapid rainfall, with large amounts of rain in a short time. They are caused by storms moving slowly or moving over the same area. In the tropics they are also caused by hurricanes or tropical cyclones. Many factors point to a flash flood, such as: rain intensity and duration, topography, soil conditions, vegetation, deforestation and urbanization.

Flash floods typically occur in a short time, often a few hours or less, and result in a rapid water level rise, which in turn can cause major damage to infrastructure, such as buildings, bridges etc., because of drifting cars, uprooted trees, etc. Floods, which are caused by rainfall, can cause catastrophic landslides (mud slides). Most of the casualties caused by floods are linked to flash floods.

A less common type of flood in Greece and Cyprus is attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]'>coastal flooding, which occurs in coastal areas due to large waves in the sea or in a large lake. The waves are usually caused by strong winds blowing in the area, but tsunamis can occasionally occur. Tsunamis move across the surface of the sea at a speed that depends on the depth of the sea and is of the order of 200m/sec. During their propagation, they can transfer significant amounts of water from their area where they generated to other places. Large tsunamis can cause significant damage and are felt at great distances.

 

AN EXAMPLE OF A CATASTROPHIC FLOOD IN GREECE

On February 17 and 18, 2003, heavy rains hit mainly the Cycladic region. The rains were caused by the passage of a barometric low with bad weather fronts from the Greek mainland. Indicatively, the amounts of rain that were collected in total during this two-day period were: Paros 223 mm, Naxos 55 mm, Mykonos 160 mm, Syros 149 mm and Kos 95 mm. As a result of the heavy rains, many houses were flooded, part of the island’s road network was damaged by landslides, crops and animal farms were destroyed, animals were swept away and many houses were severely damaged.

Due to the extensive damages, the Civil Protection General Secretariat declared the islands of Andros, Syros, Tinos, Mykonos, Sifnos, Serifos, Naxos and Paros to be in a state of emergency.


 

AN EXAMPLE OF A CATASTROPHIC FLOOD IN CYPRUS

On the night between the 3 and 4 December 2018, starting from around 2 am, a heavy rain and hail storm hit the capital Nicosia and the Pentadaktylos area in the occupied part of Cyprus.  Streets and basements were flooded and people were trapped in their cars. A number of roads in Nicosia were closed because of the hazardous driving conditions caused by water and mud. Strong winds affected other parts of the country, such as the Limassol and Larnaca areas, uprooting trees, and causing power cuts and mudslides.

In the occupied part of the country, the impact of this intense storm was catastrophic. Mudslides, landslides and extensive flooding were recorded. Rivers burst their banks, forcing road closures and at least four people were killed when their car was swept away.

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