RHODES – The popular Greek holiday island of Rhodes has been hit by widespread flooding after nearly 17 hours of torrential rain. The heavy downpours inundated homes, shops, and roads, with floodwaters sweeping vehicles away in several areas. On Monday, November 2, 2026, Greek civil protection authorities sent an emergency warning to residents and tourists, schools were closed, and firefighters responded to multiple rescue calls across the island. Adverse weather also affected other Greek islands, with meteorologists warning that storms could persist into Tuesday.
Greece once again found itself under the influence of a deep low-pressure system, bringing intense rainfall and violent storms.
The situation was most serious on Rhodes, one of the Mediterranean’s most popular holiday destinations.
In some areas, streets turned into raging rivers within hours.
Seventeen Hours of Rain Trigger Major Flooding
The area most heavily affected was the town of Archangelos in the eastern part of Rhodes.
Floodwaters surged through residential neighborhoods after the intense rainfall, inundating ground floors and making transportation difficult.
According to Greek public broadcaster ERTNews, some cars and motorcycles were caught in powerful currents.
Several vehicles were swept away by the floods, with local reports saying some even ended up in the sea.
The overflow of a local stream near Archangelos further worsened the situation.
Residents shared footage on social media showing flooded roads and rapidly flowing water.
Authorities have yet to release a final estimate of the damage.
Emergency Warning Issued at 3:30 AM
The Greek Civil Protection activated its 112 emergency alert system.
Around 3:30 AM local time, residents and visitors on Rhodes received a warning message.
Authorities warned them about the risk of flooding and advised people to stay indoors in safe buildings wherever possible.
Travel by car was especially dangerous.
Drivers often cannot accurately judge the depth of flooded roads or the strength of the current.
Even shallow, fast-moving water can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
During flash floods, rescuers recommend not attempting to cross flooded sections.
Similar safety measures are well-known in Slovakia, which has also had warnings about heavy rainfall and flash floods in the past.
Schools Closed, Firefighters Rescue Residents
Local municipalities took preventive measures.
On Monday, November 2, schools in affected parts of Rhodes, including Archangelos and Afantou, were closed.
Restrictions also affected the southern part of the island.
The aim was to prevent children, parents, and teachers from having to cross flooded roads.
Firefighters were also dispatched to pump water and remove obstacles.
According to Greek authorities, rescue services in the Dodecanese region received 18 calls for assistance.
On Rhodes, firefighters pumped water at three locations, cleared a fallen tree, and helped two people reach safety.
These figures are preliminary and do not yet represent the complete tally of interventions.
Floods Also Hit Samos and Volos
Rhodes was not the only area affected.
Heavy rains also caused problems on Samos, located in the eastern Aegean Sea.
Firefighters there recorded 28 requests for assistance.
In ten of those cases, they were called to pump out water.
Other callouts took place in the port city of Volos on the Greek mainland.
Initial reports say firefighters there responded to 12 emergency calls, mainly helping with water pumping and removing fallen trees.
The total number of reports from the islands and Volos city reached 58 by midday.
The situation varied in different areas.
Not everywhere suffered the same level of flooding or property damage.
Massive Boulder Crashes Down on Kalymnos After Rains
A dangerous incident was also reported on the island of Kalymnos.
After intense rains, a huge boulder broke loose from a rocky slope.
It crashed onto a garage in which a car was parked.
The impact damaged both the vehicle and the building itself.
Kalymnos mayor Giannis Mastrokoukos noted that the situation could have ended much worse.
Below the spot where the boulder stopped lies a residential complex.
According to the mayor, the garage likely prevented the rock from rolling further toward occupied buildings.
There have been no confirmed reports of injuries in this particular incident so far.
Greek Meteorologists Warn of More Storms
The Greek Meteorological Service (EMY) warns that dangerous weather is not over yet.
Heavy rain and storms are expected to continue through Monday, November 2, and Tuesday, November 3.
Western and northern parts of Greece are expected to be most at risk.
Heavy rainfall is also forecast in the Ionian Sea areas, the Peloponnese, and the eastern Aegean islands.
Showers could also occur around Athens and Thessaloniki, though available forecasts suggest they may not be as severe as in the worst-hit regions.
Meteorologists expect weather conditions to improve gradually from Wednesday, November 4.
However, forecasts may change depending on the storm system’s development.
Readers can follow ongoing weather developments and meteorological alerts for Slovak cities in our Weather section.
Greece Saw Exceptional Rainfall in October
The latest floods are not an isolated case.
Throughout October, Greece was repeatedly hit by violent storms and prolonged rainfall.
Greece’s National Observatory in Athens recorded exceptionally high rainfall amounts on the island of Euboea.
At one measuring station, rainfall over four days reached up to 408 millimeters.
This equates to roughly 408 liters of water per square meter.
According to meteorological data, that is about four times the usual total for the area in October.
Even higher readings were reported in October in Crete, where in some places rainfall exceeded 1,000 millimeters.
Such volumes are a major strain on local streams, drainage, and transport infrastructure.
Why Are Heavy Rains So Dangerous on Greek Islands?
Greek islands often have rugged terrain with steep slopes, narrow valleys, and short rivers.
When large amounts of rain fall in a short period, water can rapidly run off into lower-lying areas.
The problem is worsened in places where natural water flow routes have been built over.
This is why flash floods can be hazardous even in areas that normally don’t have significant river flows.
Heavy rain also increases the risk of landslides and rockfalls.
The incident on Kalymnos shows that danger doesn’t always come just from the water itself.
Slovakia has also experienced similar risks during severe thunderstorms, hail, and wind warnings.
What Should Tourists Visiting Greece Know?
Although the main summer season has ended, Greek islands still attract tourists in autumn.
Rhodes and Crete remain especially popular for their mild autumn weather.
However, autumn holidays can bring less stable weather.
We have previously explained why travelling outside the main season can be advantageous, but the recent floods highlight the importance of monitoring local weather warnings when planning a trip.
For tourists currently on Rhodes or other affected islands, it is recommended:
- Do not drive through flooded roads.
- Avoid entering swollen streams or underpasses.
- Stay away from steep slopes where landslides are possible.
- Follow Greek Civil Protection and 112 emergency alerts.
- Respect all local closures and instructions from rescue services.
Those under immediate threat to life or health in Greece can call the European emergency number 112.
Slovakia Also Under Weather Warnings
While Greece is dealing with heavy rains, meteorologists are also issuing weather risk warnings in our region.
For example, on Monday, November 2, it was reported that wind gusts of up to 65 km/h would hit Košice and surrounding areas.
Though the meteorological situation is different, early warnings serve the same purpose.
They help people prepare for dangerous phenomena and adapt their activities accordingly.
Throughout the year, weather risks change. While extreme heat and high temperatures are the main problem in summer, autumn brings more frequent heavy rain, wind, and localized flooding.
You can follow further reports on extreme weather in Europe on Aktualizovane.sk at the stretnisa.online community.
Crucial Hours Ahead for Greece
By Monday morning, the intensity of rainfall in some parts of Rhodes had started to subside.
However, emergency services remain on alert, as additional rainfall could quickly impact already saturated land.
Local authorities are focused on clearing debris, cleaning drainage channels, and restoring traffic.
It will also be critical to inspect damaged roads and buildings.
Greece is facing at least one more day of significant storm risk. On Rhodes, the immediate priority remains the safety of residents and tourists, while firefighters continue to deal with the aftermath of the floods.
For updates on the weather and emergency alerts, follow the Aktualizovane.sk community page at stretnisa.online.
Source: Kronen Zeitung, Greek television ERTNews, Greek meteorological service EMY, Kathimerini, Euronews, TASR/DPA, Greek fire service. Photo: illustrative
This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
