Recommendations to citizens to be especially careful when taking measures to protect themselves from the risks arising from the manifestation severe weather events addressed General Secretariat for Civil Protection due to bad weather from tonight.

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

– To secure items that could cause damage or injury if carried away in adverse weather conditions.

– Make sure that the gutters and downspouts of the houses are not clogged and are working properly.

– Do not cross streams and streams on foot or by car during thunderstorms and rain, as well as for several hours after their end.

– Avoid working outdoors and activities in sea and coastal areas in the event of hazardous weather events (danger of lightning strikes).

– Immediately take cover during a hailstorm. 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 generally from places 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:

– 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.

– 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 (hazard lights) until the storm subsides.

– Close windows and do not touch metal objects.

– Avoid flooded roads.

– Take cover in a building or car, or immediately sit on the ground without lying down.

– If you are in the 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 poles, power lines, telephone lines and fences.

– Stay away from metal objects (e.g. 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 (a fact indicating that lightning is about to happen), sit deep with your head between your legs (to minimize body surface and contact with the ground). throwing metal objects at you that you have.

In addition, according to the fire department, an operational plan is being implemented to address the risks of flooding, as well as related events, and the fire departments of areas where events are expected to occur are placed on high alert and further escalation if necessary, to immediately address any problems.

At the same time, the Secretariat General of Civil Protection (www.civilprotection.gr) of the Ministry of Climate Crises and Civil Protection informed the relevant competent state authorities, as well as the regions and municipalities of the country, to be on high alert for civil defense in order to immediately eliminate the consequences of the occurrence of severe weather events.

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

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.

It is noted that according to the emergency weather bulletin issued today by the National Weather Service (EMY), the weather will worsen from Thursday evening (01/09/2022) to Saturday morning hours (03/09/2022). 2022) 2022) with heavy rains and storms mainly in the north of Greece, which will be accompanied by frequent lightning, hail and temporarily, during phenomena, strong gusty winds.