Hurricane Daniel

 Storm Daniel developed in Greece and was named by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. [It] caused record-breaking rainfall in Greece on 5-6 September, with a reported 750 mm falling in 24 hours at a station in the village of Zagora. This is the equivalent of about 18 months of rainfall. In Thessaly, central Greece, many stations received 400 to 600 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Thessaly is Greece’s agricultural heartland, and so the economic impacts are expected to be serious. 

Last week we went to Larissa and stayed for a few days to see how the conditions were and how the Church could help.  We were fortunate to be taken around by a doctor and Civil Servant for his Municipality.  He knew everyone since he grew up in Larissa and has lived there most of his life.  

Clinic in Larissa with doctor

Park that follows the River Pineios  overflowed

Garbage overflow because the roads are closed

Flooded Highway  

Transportation for Those Needed to Cross the Highway 

There were people who needed to get to work but the highway was closed except for the Army that would transport the people across the flooded area.  

Refugee Camp gates to Enter

We drove out to the harder hit areas where there is a lot of agriculture and livestock that were all lost to the flooding.  One of the biggest jobs was the cremation of the dead animals: cows, sheep, chickens, and pigs.  We could smell the decay from the camp.  The camp was empty because they sent the refugees to other camps so they could clean and fill the camp with villagers that had nowhere to go.  

Housing at the Camp

The units are like moving pods.  They have water heating solar panels.  There was a gym, places to get your hair cut, and visiting areas.  There were no trees and it was far from any city. 

Parking Lot of Camp Looking Out Over Flooded Fields 

The next day we went out to a warehouse to see how they were handling the flood situation in Karditsa, a village that had been hard hit.  We sat on chairs in the front of the warehouse while a front loader would go back and forth behind us while loading and unloading bottled water and supplies.  They were in the process of evaluating what their needs were and the sweet young woman in charge said that she was putting in long hours to understand what to organize.  Her phone rang constantly.  She was so grateful that we had just showed up to see how things were going.  She called and made reservations at a cafe in the village and had a government official take us for a meal. 

Greek Cooking

When we arrived at the café, happy to have found a parking space a block or two away, there were few people.  When we finished our meal, our discussion and just relaxing which can take a long time, the place was full.  Our host ordered a salad that consisted of beets, boiled zucchini, and greens with lemon.  We had fresh sardines on tomatoes, fried zucchini with a garlic dip, grilled potatoes, bread, and a mixed variety of grilled meat with fries.  There are always fries.  It was very delicious and we barely made a dent.  I felt quite sad that he was not going to take leftovers home but he assured us that the cats would be fed.

We ate several delicious meals while in Larissa.  One was pizza with fries on it.  We enjoyed seeing all the bikes and scooters being used.  The sidewalks were wide for pedestrians but you never knew when a scooter was coming up behind you.  Our hotel looked down on one of the sidewalks and on an ancient amphitheater.   

 

Divani Palace hotel and  Ancient Theatre of Larissa

Now is the time we can bless others and 'lift up the hands which hang down'"  ..President Russell M. Nelson.      I am grateful for the people of Greece.  I have found them a happy, animated and giving people.  It has been such a blessing for me to see compassion in action as the Greek people assist one another.