Nature is extremely destructive. Meteorologists report that Southern Europe is in a high risk zone in the coming weeks. Find out more about the extreme weather conditions in Europe, where not to travel in the near future and what recommendations experts make

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Europe is gripped by a dangerous weather anomaly that poses a serious threat to human life and infrastructure. Meteorologists are sounding the alarm, warning of catastrophic rains that could lead to widespread flooding in a number of Southern European countries. Forecasters predict extreme precipitation, which is many times higher than usual and threatens to completely destabilise life in entire regions. The details of this dangerous weather situation are described in the article below.

Weather forecast in Europe: apocalyptic proportions

Recently, the Frankfurter Rundschau and BBC portals have published extremely alarming data. According to leading meteorologists, including Dominik Jung of wetter.net, Europe is expected to see catastrophic rainfall of 500 to almost 1,000 litres over the next two weeks. This amount of rain exceeds the annual average and could cause unprecedented flooding.

Areas of greatest risk: where not to go

The coastal and mountainous regions of Southern Europe are in the greatest danger. In Italy, the most vulnerable are the coastal provinces and central areas with difficult terrain. Greece is also under serious threat, especially the Aegean islands, northern regions, central Macedonia and the prefecture of Thessaloniki. The Balkan countries, in particular Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, are also at high risk.

It is worth remembering that before any trip, you must purchase an insurance policy. Travel insurance is a reliable financial shield when travelling abroad, especially in unpredictable weather conditions. A high-quality insurance package covers the costs of medical treatment, evacuation, relocation, etc. Take care of your health when travelling to Europe with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection.

The devastating effects of bad weather in Greece: the first consequences of the Bora storm

The Bora storm began at the end of November 2024 and is an extremely powerful atmospheric phenomenon with sharp downward winds forming over the sea and hitting mountainous areas. It is a cold and strong wind that results from a sharp difference in atmospheric pressure between the coast and the interior. In Greece, the Bora is particularly destructive due to the difficult terrain and the proximity of the mountain ranges to the sea coast. Forecasters warn that such storms can cause instantaneous weather changes and widespread destruction.

The most affected region as of December 2024 was the island of Rhodes. More than 30 centimetres of rain fell here in a day. The consequences were horrific: bridges in the Kallithea-Faliraki area were destroyed, trees felled, power grids were damaged, and homes, basements and shops were flooded. The Thessaloniki - Athens railway service has been suspended. On the island of Lemnos, the situation is no less critical: the rural road network has been destroyed, residents have been evacuated due to the threat of a dam breach, and traffic is banned.

Meteorologists warn of extremely serious consequences. Large-scale flooding, destructive landslides, dangerous mudflows and aggressive river currents are expected. Transport communications, power grids, residential and commercial buildings will be at risk. This could lead to a total evacuation of the population, significant economic losses and pose a real threat to human life.

The devastating storm Darragh in the UK: the widespread consequences of the disaster

Storm Darragh, which raged for more than two days in the UK, caused significant destruction and large-scale problems for the population. According to The Times, as of today, more than 60,000 people's homes remain without power. The transport system has also been severely disrupted by the extreme weather.

According to the Energy Networks Association, 118,000 customers were without power on Sunday evening. Engineers worked around the clock to restore power supply. Despite their efforts, about 66,000 customers were still without power.

Train services in some parts of England and Wales were completely suspended. The main reasons were fallen trees and numerous debris on the tracks. Air traffic was also severely disrupted.

More than 1,500 engineers and field staff were mobilised to restore the infrastructure. The Meteorological Service issued a yellow warning due to the extremely difficult weather conditions, which hampered the work of rescuers.

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Recommendations for tourists: what to do in case of extreme conditions?

Experts stress the need for maximum caution. Anyone who is travelling or planning to travel to Southern Europe is advised to closely monitor official weather forecasts. You should have an emergency evacuation plan, prepare a set of necessary items, keep your communication devices charged and follow the orders of local authorities without question.

The coasts of Greece, the Aegean islands, the mountainous areas of Italy and the Balkan regions are recognised as particularly dangerous. Tourists are strongly advised to refrain from travelling to these places.

Important! The situation continues to develop dynamically. If you are currently in areas of potential bad weather, please follow official sources of information and local authorities.

List of essential items that can save lives during extreme weather

- Documents: passport, insurance policy, copies of important documents in electronic form, identity card, medical card.

- Food and water: drinking water (2-3 litres per day), canned food, dry long-term storage products, energy bars, cereals and pasta, dried fruits and nuts.

- Essentials: first aid kit, flashlight, extra batteries, charger, raincoat, warm clothes.

- Communication: additional charger for your phone, power bank, list of emergency services, numbers of relatives and embassy.

- Medicines: painkillers, bandages, antiseptic.

- Additional items: cash, candles, matches in waterproof packaging.

Just a reminder! For a safe trip abroad, every traveller needs to have an insurance policy that will protect them from unforeseen situations. Now you can apply for insurance quickly and conveniently online. Read here how to apply for an insurance policy on the Visit Ukraine portal and choose the best coverage.

Photo: Freepik