Mayor requests a State of Emergency, deadly floods strike Rhodes, Greece
Heavy rainfall triggered deadly flooding on Rhodes, Greece, on October 14, 2026, with 264 mm (10.4 inches) recorded at the National Observatory of Athens station by 12:50 LT (09:50 UTC). A 62-year-old man died after floodwater swept his car toward the sea at Stegna, while regional authorities reported more than 30 rescue and extrication operations and more than 200 water-pumping interventions.The Mayor of Rhodes requested the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to declare a State of Emergency for the island due to the extensive damage to roads and property.
Heavy rainfall triggers flooding on Rhodes Island Greece on October 14, 2026. Credit: ERT News Greece
The National Observatory of Athens (NOA) said its meteo.gr station on Rhodes recorded 202 mm (8 inches) between 06:30 LT (03:30 UTC) and 12:50 LT (09:50 UTC), a period of about 6.5 hours. Accumulation from the start of October 14 through 12:50 LT reached 264 mm (10.4 inches).
The thunderstorms primarily affected northern Rhodes and were accompanied by strong electrical activity. NOA described the rainfall totals as very high but did not classify the 264 mm measurement as record-breaking.
A 62-year-old man died after floodwater swept his car toward the sea at Stegna, about 30 km (19 miles) from the town of Rhodes. The Greek Coast Guard said four passenger vehicles were swept into the sea during the storm, Reuters reported.
Rhodes Mayor Alexandros Koliadis asked the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to declare the island under a state of emergency because of extensive damage to roads and property.
While some local news agencies reported that Rhodes was already under a state of Emergency, government-owned news agency ERT reported on October 15 that the declaration was still being requested.
The South Aegean Region said emergency crews had carried out more than 30 rescue and extrication operations and more than 200 interventions to pump water from flooded homes and businesses by 21:15 LT (18:15 UTC) on October 14.
Five regional crews equipped with earthmoving machinery worked to remove debris and address landslides. Authorities said the most significant problems occurred around Archangelos, central Rhodes and northern parts of the island.
Heavy rain flooded streets, caused watercourses to overflow and deposited debris across parts of the road network. The Municipality of Rhodes urged residents and visitors to avoid non-essential travel, flooded roads and streams during the storm.
Schools remained closed across all municipal units on October 15 while inspections and damage assessments continued. The closure also covered preschool and special-education facilities, municipal sports facilities, the municipal conservatory and municipal workshops.
The municipality temporarily prohibited vehicle and pedestrian traffic along the Afantou coastal frontage and Pipinou Street. Residents were instructed to use alternative routes and not bypass barriers at low-water crossings where fast-moving water remained hazardous.
Municipal bus services had been suspended during the severe weather. The Municipality of Rhodes said all municipal routes would resume from 17:30 LT (14:30 UTC) on October 15.
References:
1 Very high rainfall totals and strong electrical activity in northern Rhodes – National Observatory of Athens / meteo.gr – October 14, 2026
2 Driver killed in floods on Greek island of Rhodes – Reuters – October 14, 2026
3 Schools and sports facilities remain closed for damage assessments – Municipality of Rhodes – October 15, 2026
4 Temporary traffic closure along the Afantou coastal frontage – Municipality of Rhodes – October 15, 2026
Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.
