Extreme Flooding Devastates Greek Islands; Rhodes, Euboea & Skiathos Hit Hard on 14–15 October 2026

🌊 Overview of the Disaster

Extreme flooding struck multiple Greek islands on 14–15 October 2026, triggered by torrential rainfall, overflowing rivers, and violent thunderstorms. The worst‑hit areas include:

• Rhodes (Dodecanese)
• Euboea (north of Athens)
• Skiathos & Skopelos (Sporades)
• Cyclades & Dodecanese islands

At least one confirmed death occurred on Rhodes, where a 62‑year‑old man was swept into the sea when floodwaters carried his vehicle away. Thousands have been evacuated across several islands.

🌀 Rainfall Totals & Meteorological Impact

The National Observatory of Athens recorded 264 mm (10.4 inches) of rain in Rhodes within hours — an exceptionally high amount that caused rivers to burst their banks and roads to collapse.

Thunderstorms produced thousands of lightning strikes, severe winds, and widespread power outages across the Aegean.

🚨 Casualties & Evacuations

Confirmed Fatalities

• 1 death on Rhodes — a man swept into the sea at Stegna after his car was carried away by floodwaters.

Evacuations

• 6,000+ people evacuated across multiple islands including Euboea, Skiathos, Skopelos, and parts of the Cyclades.

Rescue Operations

• Over 30 rescue operations and 200+ water‑pumping interventions on Rhodes alone.

🏚️ Infrastructure Damage

Flooding caused:

• Washed‑out roads
• Collapsed small bridges
• Cars swept into the sea
• Homes and businesses inundated
• Landslides across Rhodes and Euboea
• Airport diversions due to poor visibility
• Ferry cancellations at Lavrio and Piraeus

Schools across Rhodes, Euboea, Skiathos, Skopelos, and the Cyclades were closed due to unsafe conditions.

🏝️ Worst‑Hit Locations

Rhodes

• Stegna (fatality)
• Archangelos
• Northern Rhodes
• Afantou coastal zone (traffic banned)

Euboea

• Makrykapa (800 residents evacuated)
• Psachná (5,500 residents evacuated)

Skiathos & Skopelos

• Homes flooded
• Vehicles swept away
• Power outages