Deadly Storms Lash Greece as Saharan Dust Smothers Crete and 15ft Waves Hit the Balearics

Storm Erminio: Deaths, Floods and Chaos in Greece

Storm Erminio has struck Greece with devastating force, killing at least one person in Athens and causing widespread flooding, travel disruption and emergency evacuations across the country's mainland and islands.

A man of around 50 was found trapped under a car in Nea Makri, a rural area northeast of the Greek capital, believed to have been swept away by a torrent as he attempted to cross a flooded street. The fire brigade received nearly 500 emergency calls in the greater Athens area alone, including more than 30 rescue requests.

Authorities issued emergency warnings and shut down schools across areas east of Athens, as well as on the Dodecanese islands, the Cycladic islands and Crete. On the island of Poros, flooding knocked down a bridge. Most of Greece's ferries were confined to port on Wednesday, with crews still clearing debris and pumping water from buildings the following morning.

Rhodes: 70mph Winds and 15ft Waves

The holiday island of Rhodes was among the worst affected, with violent winds gusting at 70 miles per hour and waves reaching 15 feet, forcing dozens of flights to be cancelled at Diagoras airport. Dramatic footage circulating on social media showed forceful winds billowing through Faliraki beach, with palm trees swaying violently and enormous waves forming along the coastline.

In Ierapetra on Crete, huge waves surged into the first houses of the old town, while strong southerly winds created dangerous coastal conditions across the island.

Saharan Dust Blankets Crete — Flights Diverted

Alongside the storm, a Saharan dust storm has blanketed Crete, transforming the landscape and causing serious disruption to air travel. Thick African dust smothered visibility, forcing at least two flights to divert after visibility dropped to around 1,000 metres — a level considered unsafe for landing.

A British Airways service from London was rerouted to Corfu, while a SKY Express flight from Brussels was sent to Athens. Air travel across the island remains under pressure as the dense dust cloud continues to hang over the region.

Meteorologists warned that dust levels surged to more than 1,000 micrograms per cubic metre — an exceptionally high concentration. Air quality readings fell into the "very poor" category, with particle pollution far exceeding safe limits. In Chania, light rain mixed with the dust to create a layer of mud coating homes, cars and streets.

Balearics and Spain: Orange Alerts and 15ft Waves

The wild weather has also struck Spain. Orange alerts were issued in Catalonia, with winds expected to reach 50mph, while waves of up to 15 feet were reported in the Balearic Islands. Yellow warnings are in place for Valencia and the Balearics.

Social media footage showed sailboats docked at Balearic marinas being rocked by ferocious winds, massive waves crashing onto beaches, and two girls in Menorca struggling to walk against the gale-force gusts.

Italy Hit Too

The extreme weather has not been confined to Greece and Spain. In Italy, torrential rains lashed Puglia, Calabria and Sicily, causing widespread flooding. At least 14 rivers burst their banks, inundating residential areas and bringing roads and railways to a standstill. In the southern town of Rapolla, a landslide forced the evacuation of three families, while 90 residents were isolated in the village of Pozza after a separate landslide blocked the main road. The Apennine Mountains saw accumulations of more than one metre of snow.

A Heatwave Still on the Way for Spain

Despite the stormy conditions, Spain is still on course for a significant warm-up by Easter weekend. Temperatures are forecast to reach up to 30°C in Seville by Easter Monday, with central Madrid expected to hit 27°C. The dramatic contrast — from storm alerts to near-summer heat in the space of a few days — captures just how volatile Mediterranean weather can be at this time of year.

This article is based on reporting from the Daily Mail, published April 2, 2026. Weather conditions are subject to rapid change — always check the latest AEMET forecasts before travelling. This article is for informational purposes only.