Recommendations to citizens to take extra care to take measures to protect themselves against the risks arising from the occurrence of dangerous weather events are addressed to the General Secretariat of Civil Protection, taking into account bad weather under the name “EVA” and will cause weather deterioration in almost the entire country.

In particular, in areas where heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, or gale-force winds are forecast, the Public Health Service recommends that citizens:

• To secure objects that, if blown away by severe weather conditions, could cause damage or injury.
• Make sure the gutters and downspouts of the houses are clear and working properly.
• Avoid crossing streams and streams on foot or by car during thunderstorms and rain, and for several hours after they end.
• Avoid working outdoors and operating in sea and coastal areas during adverse weather conditions (danger of lightning strikes).
• Take cover immediately during hail. Take shelter in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure the storm has passed. Hail can be very dangerous for animals too.
• Avoid walking under large trees, under posted signs, and in public areas where light objects (eg pots, broken glass, etc.) can break off and fall to the ground (eg under balconies).
• Conscientiously follow the instructions of local authorities such as the Road Traffic Authority, etc.

Also in areas with intense thunderstorm activity:

If you are at home:

• Do not hold on to electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can pass through the wires. Disconnect TVs from antenna and power supply.
• Do not touch plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom) as they are good conductors of electricity.

If you are in a car:

• Park it on the side of the road and away from trees that might fall on it.
• Stay inside and turn on your brake lights (emergency lights) until the storm subsides.
• Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
• Avoid flooded roads.

If you are outside:

• Take cover in a building or car, or immediately sit on the ground without lying down.
• If you are in a forest, take cover under the hard branches of low trees.
• Never take cover under a tall tree in an open area.
• Avoid lowlands due to the risk of flooding.
• Stay away from power poles, power lines, telephone lines, and fences.
• Stay away from metal objects (eg cars, bicycles, camping equipment, etc.).
• Stay away from rivers, lakes and other bodies of water.
• If you are at sea, leave immediately.
• If you are isolated on a flat surface and feel like your hair is standing on end (signaling that lightning is about to strike), sit deeply with your head between your legs (to minimize body surface area and contact with the ground), dropping metal objects, which you have.

Availability of an operational risk management plan

At the same time, an operational plan is being implemented to address the risks of floods and related events, and fire services in areas where events are expected to occur have been put on high alert. increased readiness and further escalation if required so that any issues are dealt with immediately.

The General Secretariat for Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crises and Civil Protection has informed the relevant competent state authorities, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, to be in an enhanced civil protection regime. readiness to face directly the consequences of the occurrence of intense weather events.

Citizens can visit the EL.AS website for information and announcements about the current situation and trafficability of the road network due to the influx of flood waters. www.astynomia.gr.

For more information and guidance on self-protection from the weather, citizens can visit the website of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection at www.civilprotection.gr.

Emergency Hazardous Weather Bulletin

A severe weather system called “EVA” is creating a barometric low in northern Italy on Friday that will move to the southeast and cause worse weather almost all the time, according to an emergency weather bulletin released today by the National Meteorological Service (NMES). over the country. From Saturday morning (05-11-2022) to Sunday evening hours (06-11-2022), dangerous weather events will be observed in places, the main characteristics of which will be heavy precipitation, in some places high speeds and high frequency of lightning.

Every day, citizens can be aware of the development of extreme weather events in regular EMR weather reports and on the EMR website at the online address www.emy.gr.