Storm floods and landslides hit Skiathos as roads close and Pelion torrents overflow

Road closures on Skiathos

Police banned traffic on the Skiathos-Koukounaries road network from 13:30 on 28 October 2026, covering the stretch from the Akropoli area to Koukounaries. The ban also reaches the Vasilias, Achladies, Agia Paraskevi and Troulos areas and the side streets connected to them. It stays in force until the dangerous weather subsides and safe traffic can be restored. The regional and provincial roads also remain closed for safety reasons, and some residents are staying inside their homes because of the flooding.

Landslides and flooding on the island

Landslides have been recorded in the area beyond the Skiathos Palace hotel, heading toward Koukounaries, and they have worried drivers. Continuous heavy rain has loaded the ground, raising the risk that soil and rock break away onto the road at several points. Video from the scene shows the damage. Drivers on that stretch have been urged to take extra care, since further slides are possible if the weather worsens.

Platanias stream reaches its limit

In the Platanias area of Skiathos, the water level in the stream has reached its limit, and residents are watching with anxiety as they fear it could overflow if heavy rain continues. Because of the risk, the road to the area has been closed to prevent accidents. Residents have been told to avoid travel to the area, not to cross flooded points, and to follow the instructions of the competent authorities.

Flooding in southern Pelion

On the mainland, three torrents overflowed in Platanias in the Magnesia regional unit, on the southern Pelion peninsula, flooding the roads that lead to the small harbour. Video from the area shows the force of the water carrying bins, logs, branches and sections of trees. An emergency 112 alert told people in the Platanias area of Magnesia to move to higher floors because of flooding. The Platanias on Skiathos and the Platanias on Pelion are separate locations, and the reports describe different problems in each.

Red warnings across central and eastern Greece

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) has issued a red warning for dangerous weather in Thessaly, the Sporades, Evia and the Dodecanese. Its updated bulletin forecasts strong rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, in Magnesia, Larissa, the Sporades and Evia until late at night, with intense phenomena also expected in the Dodecanese. An orange warning covers the eastern Aegean islands until late in the evening, as well as parts of eastern Central Greece, mainly Fokida, Fthiotida and Viotia. Regional units including the Sporades, Magnesia, Larissa, Evia, Fthiotida, Viotia, Attica, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades and the North Aegean have been placed on Red Code, a heightened state of mobilisation. A separate EMY forecast cited in one update expects the intense phenomena to continue until 17:00.

Official response

Amalia Gravani, deputy regional governor of the Sporades, told Tachydromos that officials were waiting for the weather to ease before assessing the damage.

“We are waiting for the phenomenon to subside to see the extent of the damage.”

The reports do not yet give a damage total, and the closures remain in place while the rain continues.