Medicane Ianos Unleashes Devastation Across Greek Ionian Islands

Rare Medicane Batters Ionian Islands

A powerful and rare Mediterranean tropical-like cyclone, dubbed Medicane Ianos, made landfall in Greece on September 18, 2020, unleashing severe weather conditions across the Ionian islands, particularly Zakynthos and Kefalonia. The storm, characterized by hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfall, led to significant travel disruptions, widespread damage, and tragic loss of life.

The Hellenic National Meteorological Service had issued red alerts, the highest level of warning, as Ianos approached.

Widespread Disruptions and Damage

The impact of Medicane Ianos was immediate and severe, causing extensive disruptions across the affected islands:

• Travel Disruptions: Flight operations were significantly affected, with at least two Ryanair flights destined for Kefalonia being rerouted to Athens. Road networks suffered closures due to landslides and debris, with areas like Assos in Kefalonia becoming isolated. Ferry services in the region were also suspended.
• Infrastructure Damage: The storm's powerful winds, reaching up to 159 km/h (99 mph) with gusts as high as 195 km/h (121 mph), equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane, caused widespread destruction. Buildings were damaged, roofs collapsed, and thousands of trees were uprooted, leading to extensive power outages that affected thousands of residents. Numerous sailboats and yachts were sunk in harbors.
• Flooding: Torrential rainfall was a major factor, with Kefalonia recording a peak official rainfall amount of 644.7 mm (25.38 inches). This led to severe flooding of homes, shops, and agricultural land, particularly in central Greece where the storm later moved.

Casualties and Emergency Response

The devastating storm resulted in four fatalities and one person reported missing. Initial reports varied, with some sources confirming three deaths. The Greek national firefighting service conducted extensive rescue operations, responding to over 2,450 calls for assistance and rescuing more than 600 people from flooded areas and damaged properties.

A state of emergency was declared for the islands of Ithaca, Kefalonia, and Zakynthos to facilitate relief efforts. The overall damage caused by Medicane Ianos was estimated to be at least $100 million (2020 USD).

Aftermath and Recovery

Following its initial impact on the Ionian Islands, Medicane Ianos moved across central Greece, causing further destruction in regions such as Thessaly, before weakening and dissipating on September 21, 2020. The event highlighted the increasing frequency of such tropical-like cyclones in the Mediterranean Sea, a phenomenon experts attribute to warmer sea surface temperatures.