Mediterranean storm kills 19 in Greece; Downpours to continue through Saturday night

November 18, 2017; 9:35 AM



A slow-moving storm in the Mediterranean Sea will bring additional rounds of rain to Greece into Saturday night.

Downpours since Tuesday have already caused deadly flooding and mudslides. The outskirts of Athens have been hit hardest with 19 people killed so far, according to the Associated Press.

That number may rise as at least 3 people remain missing and additional bouts of heavy rain are forecast.





The flooding swamped homes and businesses while also washing out a section of major highway near Athens.

The same storm system also produced devastating flooding on the Greek island of Symi earlier this week, which forced a state of emergency to be issued to the popular tourist location.

Conditions are not expected to improve across Greece as the slow-moving storm over the Mediterranean Sea continues to unleash downpours.





The threat for downpours over the same areas that have already been impacted by flooding will result in a high risk for additional flooding and mudslides while also heightening the likelihood for travel disruption.

Areas from Thessaloniki south and west will be at highest risk for downpours and flooding problems.





Rainfall over these areas will average 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) through Saturday night; however, local amounts may exceed 200 mm (8 inches).

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Conditions will begin to improve on Sunday as the storm tracks into western Turkey.

There will be isolated downpours across eastern Greece, but conditions will improve throughout western Greece where flooding is most likely through Saturday.

A separate storm will threaten Greece with additional rainfall late Sunday into Monday, which could result in some localized flooding.