Photos: Flooding swamps Athens, Greece, after wildfires kill at least 82
On the heels of the deadly wildfires that killed at least 82 people, flash flooding struck the northern suburbs of the Greek capital of Athens on Thursday.
As AccuWeather meteorologists warned about earlier in the week, heavy thunderstorms erupted across Greece on Thursday afternoon.
While the rainfall is needed to quell the fire danger and douse any remaining wildfires, an overwhelming amount of rain triggered flash flooding in the northern suburbs of Athens.
Cars float in floodwater in an open parking area in northern Athens, Thursday, July 26, 2018, after a sudden downpour caused flash floods. (AP Photo/Panagiotis Michalopoylos)
The capital's fire department received 140 calls for assistance from residents, including the need to pump water from flooded homes and businesses, according to the Associated Press.
The suburbs of Maroussi and Ekali were among the hardest-hit flood areas on Thursday. In Maroussi, cars became submerged as a parking lot turned into a lake.
Damaged cars are strewn across an open parking area in northern Athens, Thursday, July 26, 2018, after flash floods caused by a sudden downpour. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
An occasional shower or thunderstorm will persist around Athens into the weekend.
Most of the rainfall will be beneficial, but there is a risk for another isolated heavier thunderstorm to develop and trigger new flash flooding. Recently burned areas will be most susceptible to flooding, as well as debris flows.
Download the free AccuWeather app to stay alert for severe weather and to receive information on upcoming rainfall and flooding dangers.
Gusty winds can further spread any wildfires that have not been extinguished, and lightning can spark new blazes outside of where it is raining.
Thunderstorms may largely be confined to the afternoon and the mountains around Athens this weekend with temperatures in the capital not far from normal.
People look at damaged cars strewn across an open parking area in northern Athens, Thursday, July 26, 2018, after flash floods caused by a sudden downpour. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The flash flooding comes after a pair of deadly wildfires ignited on Monday, killing at least 82 people near Athens, according to the Associated Press.
More than 180 others were injured in the Rafina and Attica regions, just east of Athens, by the blazes which quickly overtook homes and made roadways impassible.
A house burns in the town of Mati, east of Athens, Monday, July 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Strong winds on Monday caused the fires to spread quickly and change direction without notice as wind gusts over 80 km/h (50 mph) battered the region.
Many of the fatalities occurred as people were left trapped in their homes or automobiles by the rapidly spreading fires.
The seaside village of Mati was devastated by the blaze, forcing many people to race to the ocean to avoid the raging blaze.
People stand amid the charred remains of burned-out cars in Mati east of Athens, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Around 700 people were rescued from beaches by the Coast Guard and other vessels, while another 19 survivors were rescued from the sea, according to Reuters.
In total, 47 fires broke out across Greece from Monday into early Tuesday; however, most were extinguished by Tuesday afternoon as winds subsided across the area.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras declared three days of national mourning following the destructive blazes, the Associated Press stated.
A firefighting plane flies above burned-out cars in Mati east of Athens, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
The fires ignited amid hot, dry weather which has persisted for weeks across the region.
A dry winter and spring set the stage for dangerous wildfires to develop this summer and these were only made worse by the recent hot and dry weather.
The recent fires are the deadliest to strike Greece in decades.
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