Greece's General Secretariat for Civil Protection has ordered regional and municipal authorities to launch immediate flood preparedness measures ahead of the 2026-27 winter season, with special focus on areas stripped of vegetation by recent wildfires and at heightened risk of flooding and landslides.
Regional authorities must inspect and clear stream beds, maintain flood-control infrastructure and stormwater networks, and accelerate ongoing projects.
Municipalities face similar requirements for local drainage systems, with particular emphasis on cleaning storm drains, grates and pipelines in urban areas, to be repeated after major rainfall.
Authorities must also update evacuation plans for flooding incidents, along with emergency contact lists, contractor registries, and available heavy machinery, and identify temporary shelter locations in high-risk areas.
By mid-September, regional and municipal technical services must map particularly vulnerable locations, with special attention to road crossings over streams and interchanges.
That data will be shared with Greek police for incorporation into traffic management during severe weather.
Authorities are also required to catalog low-water "Irish crossings" that can flood during heavy rain and ensure proper warning signage is in place.
Officials urged residents never to attempt crossing such points when submerged, citing the risk of being swept away.
Wildfire-affected regions have been given top priority, given the elevated flood and landslide risk from lost vegetation, with authorities instructed to inspect infrastructure, clear waterways and expedite erosion-control projects.
Regional Civil Protection coordination bodies must hold preparedness meetings by September 10, followed by flood-response exercises during the month, including simulated evacuation scenarios.
The Civil Protection secretariat said all measures must begin without delay, stressing that early prevention is critical to protecting residents once the rainy season arrives.