Medicane Storm Ianos lashes western Greece
- Published
Medicanes closely resemble tropical cyclones and have become more frequent in recent years
A rare hurricane-like storm is lashing islands in western Greece, bringing torrential rain and power cuts.
Storm Ianos is described as a "medicane" (Mediterranean hurricane), a phenomenon that first appeared in Greece in 1995.
The cyclone is moving eastwards, so at the weekend the winds - now up to 117km/h (73mph) - are set to hit the Peloponnese, then Athens and Crete.
"Trees are falling everywhere," said Ionian Islands governor Rodi Kratsa.
Boats moored in Kefalonia took a battering
Medicane storm damage on Zakynthos
There are reports of flooded streets, power cuts and transport disruption on the islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca.
Off the western Peloponnese a boat believed to be carrying 55 migrants is in distress and the Greek coastguard has asked nearby ships to assist, AFP news agency reports.
- Published9 August 2020
