Severe weather

Authorities across Greece remained on high alert Wednesday as heavy rain, thunderstorms and gale-force winds battered several regions, causing flooding and damage on the island of Skiathos and disrupting ferry services.
Floodwaters swept away two parked cars on Skiathos, where several roads and shops were flooded and homes and businesses sustained damage, Mayor Thodoris Tzoumas said. The municipality plans to request that the island be declared a state of emergency.
An emergency alert sent to residents early Wednesday urged them to restrict travel to essential journeys.
The fire service received 38 calls in the Athens region between late Tuesday and 6 am Wednesday, carrying out nine water-pumping operations and removing 15 fallen trees. On Evia, an island near Athens, officials received 20 calls, removed 19 fallen trees and cleared a road.
Schools and childcare centers were closed Wednesday across the Cyclades and Dodecanese island groups, as well as on Evia and the islands of Skiathos and Skopelos.
The national weather service forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms, with isolated hail possible, across much of the country, particularly in coastal and maritime areas. Areas expected to be hardest hit included Evia, the northeastern Peloponnese, eastern Central Greece, including Athens, Halkidiki, the Sporades islands, Crete and the Dodecanese.
Northeasterly winds in the northern Aegean were expected to reach 62-74 kph, while northerly winds elsewhere in the Aegean and eastern mainland Greece were forecast to reach 49-74 kph. Gusts could reach 90-100 kph (56-62 mph) or higher before winds ease slightly in the afternoon.
Ferry departures from the ports of Piraeus and Lavrio were suspended because of the weather, while morning services from Rafina were expected to operate normally.
The General Secretariat for Civil Protection urged residents in affected areas to follow official guidance and take precautions against flooding and other hazards.
Temperatures were forecast to reach 16-18 C in central and northern mainland Greece and 19-22 C elsewhere, rising to 23-24 C in western mainland areas and the Dodecanese. Athens was expected to see temperatures of 14-19 C.