50 homes damaged, 5 destroyed by twin tornadoes in Limassol, Cyprus

Two tornadoes wreaked havoc in Limassol, Cyprus, on February 14, 2024, causing extensive damage across the city, particularly in the Germasoyeia suburb. The storms tore roofs off houses, downed a building crane, and caused other significant infrastructural damage. Local officials report that the damage is massive and unprecedented, with emergency services and maintenance workers responding to the aftermath.

In the early hours of Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at least two tornadoes struck the southern port city of Limassol, Cyprus, causing ‘extensive and unprecedented damage’.

Local authorities reported that the tornadoes tore off roofs, downed a building crane, threw photovoltaic installations onto the streets, and uprooted electricity poles, significantly impacting the city’s infrastructure and residents’ lives.

Kyriakos Xydias, the mayor of Germasoyeia, described the damage as “massive and unprecedented.” He highlighted that Germasoyeia, a popular tourist destination within Limassol, bore the brunt of the destruction. Roads within the area were closed due to debris scattered along the Nicosia-Limassol highway and the 12-km (7.5 miles) esplanade.

One of two tornados spotted in the early hours of this morning in the suburb of Germasogeia, Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾
| 14 February 2024 |#Tornado #Cyprus #Germasogeiapic.twitter.com/0XDgkEHBvN

— Disaster Tracker (@DisasterTrackHQ) February 14, 2024

More footage of the tornado early this morning in the suburb of Germasogeia, Limassol, Cyprus 🇨🇾
| 14 February 2024 |#Tornado #Cyprus #Germasogeia pic.twitter.com/EMToFuilaJ

— Disaster Tracker (@DisasterTrackHQ) February 14, 2024

According to Xydias, over 50 premises suffered damage, five homes were deemed uninhabitable, one individual was injured by shattered glass, and 20 roads were closed as a result of the storm.

The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) reported damage to its medium- and low-voltage electricity networks. Maintenance teams are actively working to replace poles and cables in the affected regions to restore power. Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou visited the area, announcing that temporary accommodations and assistance are being provided to those affected by the extreme weather conditions.

Additionally, the aftermath of the storm has caused mudslides, further complicating the city’s recovery efforts. Several key roadways, including Paramytha-Gerasa, Spitali-Fasoula, Fasoula-Limassol, and Apsiou-Mathikoloni, have become impassable except for four-wheel-drive vehicles or those equipped with anti-skid chains.

A significant stretch of Limassol’s coastal road, from the Germasogeia Police Station to Ariadne Street (K-Cineplex road), has been closed to traffic due to the collapse and uprooting of trees, posing additional risks to commuters and residents.

References:

¹ Tornados wreaks havoc in Cyprus port city – Xinhua – February 14, 204

² Tornadoes, Storms Hit Limassol in Cyprus Causing ‘Biblical Destruction’ – Greek reporter – February 15, 2024

³ Tornado causes extensive damage in Limassol [PHOTOS] – In Cyprus – February 15, 2024

Featured image credit: Stelios Pittas (stillshot)