State of emergency declared on Samos

A state of emergency was declared Sunday on the eastern Aegean island of Samos, which has been hard-hit by adverse weather conditions that have affected all of Greece since Saturday noon.

Rising water covered the coastal road of the city of Samos, cutting off any access by pedestrians and vehicles, in stormy seas and wind velocities of up to 10 Beaufort, while snow also fell on high ground.

The emergency plan was activated late Saturday night, and the army placed sacks of sand along the entire coastal road to protect shops that were in danger of flooding.

Traffic was being diverted by police and port officials.

The problems continued on Sunday, spreading to Vathy and Aghios Constantinos, where the water level reached the seaside houses.