Severe storms hit Rhodes causing flash floods and school closures

Severe weather conditions, beginning on the night of November 1, 2026, have caused significant destruction across the island of Rhodes in Greece. Intense rainfall transformed streets into raging torrents, particularly in the Archangelos and Afantou regions, where residents were forced to retreat to their rooftops for safety. Numerous vehicles were swept away by floodwaters, with some reports indicating they were carried out to sea.

Authorities issued emergency alerts via the 112 messaging system at 03:00 on November 2, urging citizens to restrict movement. The local municipality officially announced the closure of all schools in the Archangelos and Afantou municipal units for Monday to ensure the safety of students and staff. Fire service operations are ongoing, including water pumpings, tree removal, and the relocation of trapped citizens to secure areas. Similar flood incidents were also reported in Volos, Samos, and Kalymnos, following an emergency weather bulletin previously issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY).

The situation remains critical in affected areas as response teams continue to provide assistance. Authorities advise the public to strictly follow official instructions as clean-up efforts and damage assessments proceed.