Severe weather over the past several days has caused significant problems in Corfu and Epirus, northwestern Greece, with repeated rainfall, landslides, power outages, and access difficulties to many areas.
Despite continuous efforts by emergency crews, the ground remains saturated, leaving residents fearful of further damage. Rescue operations for both people and animals are ongoing, underscoring the immense pressure on local communities.
Authorities on High Alert
Officials are on 24-hour alert as worsening weather is expected in the coming days. Four regional units and six municipalities in Epirus have been declared in a state of emergency until February 20. In just four days, some areas received rainfall equivalent to an entire year’s precipitation in Athens.
The municipalities declared in emergency include Zagori, Ioannina, and Pogoni (Ioannina regional unit), Georgios Karaiskakis (Arta regional unit), Filiates (Thesprotia regional unit), Ziros (Preveza regional unit), and Nestorio (Kastoria regional unit).
(APOHXOS.GR / EUROKINISSI)
Extensive Damage in Epirus
The heavy rainfall has severely affected areas including Konitsa, Tzoumerka, Preveza, Thesprotia, and Arta. In Northern Tzoumerka, overflowing rivers destroyed infrastructure and swept away everything in their path. The Bailey bridge over the Arachthos River was heavily damaged, cutting off road access between Ioannina and Pramanta.
Many villages remain isolated due to landslides or road collapses, with ongoing electricity and water shortages. Municipal crews are working around the clock to restore services. Flooding in the Filiates plain damaged kiwi crops, worsened by blocked streams. Villages like Kleisoura and Ammotopos were literally split in two, with rivers carrying debris and uprooted trees from the surrounding mountains.
Πλημμύρες και καταστροφές από την κακοκαιρία στην Ήπειρο Σάββατο 22 Νοεμβρίου 2025 (APOHXOS.GR / EUROKINISSI)
Πλημμύρες και καταστροφές από την κακοκαιρία στην Ήπειρο Σάββατο 22 Νοεμβρίου 2025 (APOHXOS.GR / EUROKINISSI)
Πλημμύρες και καταστροφές από την κακοκαιρία στην Ήπειρο Σάββατο 22 Νοεμβρίου 2025 (APOHXOS.GR / EUROKINISSI)
(APOHXOS.GR / EUROKINISSI)
Corfu Hard Hit
Northern Corfu has also been severely affected. In Kassiopi, specialized teams continue to pump water from flooded businesses. Over the past 48 hours, firefighters received more than 200 emergency calls for water pumping, tree removal, and other assistance.
The entire northern municipality has been declared in a state of emergency. Landslides have buried houses under tons of mud, particularly in Sidari, Karousades, and Velonades, according to inspections by Kostas Katsafados, Deputy Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection.
Residents fear that even light rainfall could trigger new landslides, as the soil is already saturated. Heavy machinery continues to clear roads, though many remain partially blocked by mud, trees, and debris. Local authorities estimate damages to public infrastructure in the millions of euros.
Giorgos Macheimaris, Mayor of Northern Corfu, described the situation as “dramatic, affecting 20 communities and settlements in the Municipality of Northern Corfu, with lack of water, electricity, accessibility, and most importantly, danger to people living in the villages.” He added: “All civil protection teams, municipal and regional crews, and EMAC are operating continuously to safeguard lives.”
Corfu, November 22,2025. (ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΚΟΥΣΟΥΝΗΣ / EUROKINISSI)
Corfu, November 22,2025. (ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΚΟΥΣΟΥΝΗΣ / EUROKINISSI)
Corfu, November 22,2025. (ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΚΟΥΣΟΥΝΗΣ / EUROKINISSI)
Rainfall Records and Ongoing Forecast
Between November 18–21, heavy rainfall affected much of western and northwestern Greece. Mountainous areas of Epirus recorded more than 400 mm of rain, with the highest total at Lepiana, Arta, reaching 483 mm. Other affected areas included Pramanta (459 mm), Terovo (365 mm), and Konitsa (344 mm). Western Macedonia also recorded significant rainfall.
Meteorologist Panagiotis Giannopoulos told ERTnews that these totals set records for Corfu (since 1901) and Ioannina (since 1950). Higher elevations in Epirus and western Macedonia may see temporary snowfall, while lower areas will experience scattered showers before conditions stabilize later in the day.
Following a sunny Monday, November 24, a new cycle of rainfall is expected across western Greece, potentially lasting up to four days, with further deterioration anticipated in eastern regions by the end of the week.
