‘Biblical damage’ in Limassol following intense weather overnight [Video, photos] (Update)

Intense weather overnight, including at least two tornados, resulted in scenes dubbed as “biblical destruction” in Limassol on Wednesday.

Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou visited the affected areas, including Yermasoyia which was particularly hard hit by the extreme event.

In a statement after his town hall briefing with local authorities and services, the minister noted that temporary hotel accommodation and other help had been arranged for families whose homes were wrecked.

“Wherever there can be compensation, the state will help, there are certain requirements…it must be an approved building, we will certainly help,” the minister said.

Yermasoyia Mayor Kyriakos Xydias also gave an update on the electricity supply, saying that aside from two localities energy is being slowly restored.

He added that what remains is to complete the assessment of damages and compensate people where possible, including providing help for repairs to five or six households.

Traffic has been restored on the Limassol coastal road, according to the police.

Meanwhile, the yellow weather warning has been cancelled the meteorological service announced.

State services, including the police, fire service, the civil guard, local authorities, and welfare services have been mobilised since 3am to address the situation.

“Twenty roads had been closed, over fifty premises affected, five homes became uninhabitable, and one person was injured from shattered glass,” Xydias told state broadcaster CyBC.

The injured man is reported to be undergoing reconstructive surgery in Nicosia for amputation of fingers on his right hand.

A building crane was also blown over and crashed across Andokidou street, the mayor said. At least two tornados and intense hailfall wreaked havoc from the Apollonia hotel northward to the Panioti area, and some homes were entirely wrecked.

Seven to eight crews were on the go since early morning, including three crews from the fire service, to register and record the storm’s aftereffects, which the mayor spoke of as “massive and unprecedented”.

“Both municipal and private premises were damaged and Panioti school is closed for safety reasons,” Xydias added.

Police issued a bulletin stating various objects had been blown onto the Limassol – Nicosia highway, near Yermasoyia in both directions, and drivers were urged to be especially careful. Some traffic accidents had been caused on Tuesday but no one was injured, police said.

Mud slides had rendered the roads Paramytha – Gerasa, Spitali – Fasoula, Fasoula – Limassol and Apsiou – Mathikoloni open only to vehicles with four-wheel drive or equipped with anti-skid chains.

Meanwhile, the coastal road of Limassol from the Yermasoyia police station to Ariadne Street (K-Cineplex street) had been closed due to fallen trees.

Video provided by a Yermasoyia resident Simon Wijker

Electricity authority (EAC) spokeswoman, Christina Papadopoulou, said electricity crews were also on the go since dawn, dealing with numerous incidents of blown-over trees affecting wires, at least eight smashed or uprooted electric poles, damaged transformers, and loose medium voltage cables.

In a statement later in the day, the EAC said that works to correct the damage to their network would finish by 7pm.

According to EAC, “the cut cables carry electricity so they are extremely dangerous and only properly trained EAC staff carrying all the necessary safety equipment can approach them”.

They also warned others to not approach the cables, due to the risk of shock.