After the Storm

This picture shows what our road looked like this morning, and gives an idea of why 4 wheel drives and pick up trucks are more useful than Smart cars around here! Eighty millimetres of rain in 3 hours is a lot of water.

While the town square was awash and the mayor was directing operations from the bridge, in the upper reaches of the Pedi Valley we were having our own fun and games. The Agia Marina river came down in flood for the first time in two years, rolling boulders as it roared into the Pedi Valley. The motor road was blocked by rubble washing down from higher up the Vigla and long after the storm was over we could hear heavy trucks and bulldozers rumbling in the night, clearing roads. Much of the rubble has been dumped at the head of our road, presumably prior to being taken elsewhere, creating a great lake of clay-mud about 30 cm deep judging by the tide-mark on my wellies.

More rain is forecast for today and the clouds are already gathering once again.

The Symi ferry did not make it back last night and was conspicuous by its absence this morning. Forlorn huddles of tourists were standing on the quayside looking at the hole in the water this morning. Fortunately it looks as though the Dodecanese Pride will be coming through. Needless to say, the sea is now as flat as the proverbial pancake! Municipal workers are still clearing rubble and sluicing away mud.

Welcome to the rainy season!

Regards,
Adriana