Lemnos calls to be declared in a State of Emergency – Widespread destruction

The Mayor of Lemnos, Eleonora Georga, yesterday, Saturday (21/02), sent a request to the Secretary General for Civil Protection, Nikos Papaefstathiou, asking for the entire island to be declared in a State of Civil Protection Emergency due to the flooding phenomena that occurred, resulting in serious and extensive damage to public infrastructure, private property and critical functions of the island.

The request has been communicated to the Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, the Minister of Interior, Theodoros Livanios, the Secretary General for Island Policy, Manolis Koutoulakis, and the Regional Governor of North Aegean, Konstantinos Moutzouris.

In her letter, the mayor states that according to the records and inspections carried out so far:

• Extensive damage has been caused to internal road networks and the rural road network, including subsidence, collapses of road sections, erosion, fallen retaining walls and a bridge, and blockages of road axes.
• The majority of the rural road network has become inaccessible, hindering agricultural activity and preventing livestock farmers from accessing their facilities.
• Crops have been completely destroyed.
• Homes, business premises and shops have been flooded, causing serious damage to buildings, equipment and merchandise.
  Public services (HEDNO, headquarters of the regional unit), the metropolitan church and school units have suffered damage, making their immediate operation unsafe.
• Water supply and stormwater networks have been damaged. The overall scale of the damage further burdens areas already affected by previous extreme weather events.

Civil Protection Council meeting

At a meeting of the Local Coordinating Civil Protection Body (TESOPP) convened by the Mayor of Lemnos, E. Georga, she stated that she has already informed the Minister of Civil Protection, Ioannis Kefalogiannis, while there is regular communication with the Secretary General for Natural Disaster Recovery and State Aid, Petros Kampouris, regarding the activation of the required administrative procedures. As she announced, two ministry teams are expected on Tuesday, 25 February, to record damage to homes.

At the same time, the mayor has informed the Prime Minister’s Office and the Minister to the Prime Minister, Thanasis Kontogeorgis, so that they have a full picture of the situation, and requested the active and effective presence of the State in addressing the conditions.

Particular emphasis was placed on the destruction of the rural road network, which, as highlighted, has suffered extensive damage almost in its entirety, resulting in many livestock farmers being unable to reach their holdings. Reference was also made to the need for the immediate cleaning of affected school units to enable their operation.

Impassable roads, Myrina without water

Subsequently, the mayor referred to the assistance of the Municipality of Agios Efstratios, which sent a JCB-type vehicle to support restoration works, to the cooperation of private individuals during the day to limit the consequences of the phenomenon, and to the municipality’s equipment and personnel, who have been on alert from the very first moment.

It is noted that the army is also assisting where required, with personnel and machinery.

There are major problems in the road network and in many areas roads are impassable.

In an announcement, the Municipality of Lemnos informs citizens that, following the intense weather phenomena and the extensive damage recorded in various parts of the island, increased caution is required in travel and daily activities. Particular attention is drawn to areas where floods, landslides, the transfer of debris and damage to the road network or infrastructure have occurred.

Moreover, as water supply pipes were swept away, settlements in the Myrina area are without water, and the cleaning service, without water, cannot intervene in areas covered in mud.

Finally, it was announced that schools in the Agia Triada area, the 1st Kindergarten, the 1st Primary School and the Gymnasium of Myrina will remain closed on Tuesday.