Relentless torrential rains have battered Albania and Greece, leaving a trail of destruction across both countries and claiming the life of a 75-year-old in Albania’s eastern Korça region. The severe weather, which struck over the weekend of November 24, 2025, has forced hundreds of evacuations, destroyed critical infrastructure, stranded entire villages, and set off a scramble among authorities to respond to mounting emergencies as forecasts warn of further storms ahead.
According to multiple reports, including coverage from BBC and ertnews, the most tragic incident unfolded in Albania, where a 75-year-old was swept away by surging waters from a flooded stream in Korça. Rescue teams struggled for several hours to recover the victim’s body, only succeeding once water levels finally receded. The death has cast a somber shadow over a region already reeling from nature’s fury.
In the 24 hours preceding November 25, hundreds of residents in southern and southeastern Albania were forced to flee their homes. The flooding, described by local officials as some of the worst in years, submerged hundreds of acres of farmland and left roads, bridges, and other infrastructure severely damaged. Emergency crews worked around the clock, evacuating families and attempting to shore up battered roads and bridges. But with more rain and storms in the forecast, authorities have voiced deep concerns about the days ahead. "Authorities expressed concern as more rain and storms are forecast in coming days," reported BBC, underscoring the ongoing threat to communities already on edge.
Greece, meanwhile, has been hit just as hard. The regions of Corfu and Epirus have experienced widespread damage, with the city of Ioannina and surrounding areas particularly affected. Villagers have been stranded as roads were destroyed and electricity and water supply systems took a direct hit. The local landscape has transformed dramatically—fields now resemble lakes, and the first snow of the season has dusted the mountains surrounding Ioannina, adding a wintry twist to the chaos.
In the Pedini area, heavy rainfall led to the formation of temporary lakes, a phenomenon that, according to ertnews, is not uncommon during intense storms but rarely on this scale. The Egnatia parallel road, a vital artery for regional transport, was flooded on Saturday but has since been cleared, offering a glimmer of hope for improving conditions. Yet, the reprieve may be short-lived. Meteorologists have warned of another wave of severe weather set to arrive within 24 hours, fueling fears of landslides and further flooding.
Several municipalities in Greece have declared a state of emergency, as the scale of the crisis became clear. In Filippiada, rescue teams carried out a dramatic operation to save a horse trapped in mud and flooded fields—a small but poignant reminder of the storm’s reach beyond human suffering. The Preveza Special Rescue Multi-Mission Team located and rescued the animal, highlighting the diverse and urgent needs responders are facing.
Elsewhere, fire crews in Tzoumerka and Agnada have been working tirelessly to assist residents. In one case, they transported vital medical equipment, including an oxygen tank, to a patient in immediate need. Four villages in the area remain without electricity, and the road network has been heavily damaged. The road from Paleochori to Syrrako-Kalarrytes was closed due to subsidence, with traffic rerouted through Pramantos as officials scramble to restore connectivity.
In Kleissoura village, located in the Ziros municipality, crews have been laboring to remove debris left by a heavy torrent. The scale of the cleanup is daunting, and many residents face days or even weeks before normalcy returns. In the Arta region, the situation is equally dire. About 15 houses in the villages of Skupa and Dafnoti remain blocked, with evacuation efforts ongoing. Arta’s mayor, Christos Siafakas, confirmed that teams are working to reach those stranded, while Deputy Governor Vasilis Psathas has formally requested state assistance for damage restoration. “The area faces serious problems due to severe weather, including damaged or blocked roads and issues with electricity and water supplies,” reported ertnews, capturing the sense of urgency and frustration among local officials.
For many in these hard-hit regions, the immediate future remains uncertain. While forecasts suggested a brief improvement in weather conditions on Monday, November 24, meteorologists have warned that another round of heavy rainfall could begin as soon as Tuesday, November 25. This has left authorities and residents bracing for the possibility of renewed flooding and further damage.
Beyond the immediate destruction, the storms have exposed the vulnerability of rural infrastructure in both Albania and Greece. Roads and bridges, many of which are decades old, have buckled under the strain of fast-rising waters. Electricity and water systems, already fragile in some areas, have struggled to cope, leaving entire villages in darkness and without clean water. Farmland—a lifeline for many families—lies underwater, raising fears about crop losses and the long-term impact on local economies.
The rapid response by rescue teams and local authorities has been widely praised, but the scale of need is daunting. In both countries, emergency services have had to prioritize the most urgent cases, from evacuating the elderly and infirm to rescuing animals and delivering critical supplies. The scenes have been both harrowing and inspiring: families carrying what little they could salvage, emergency workers wading through waist-deep water, and neighbors banding together to help those in greatest need.
As the region faces the prospect of more storms, attention is turning toward the need for longer-term solutions. Calls for investment in flood defenses and infrastructure upgrades are growing louder, with local leaders urging national governments to act before the next disaster strikes. In the meantime, the focus remains on recovery and relief—getting people to safety, restoring power and water, and beginning the long process of rebuilding homes and communities.
For the people of Albania and Greece, the last few days have been a stark reminder of nature’s power and unpredictability. As the waters slowly recede and the skies darken with the threat of new storms, the resilience and solidarity of affected communities stand out. The road to recovery will be long, but the determination to rebuild is already evident on the flooded streets and muddy fields of the Balkans.
