Snow storm in Skopelos
Beginning of January and the weather showed its first signs of a storm approaching. We are all accustomed to rain storms, strong winds and rough seas in Skopelos during the winter. Occasionally, (every other year or so), we may get a little snow in higher altitudes like in mount Delfi, where Skopelos Country Villas are located.
What followed after this first few days of this ominus looking storm however, was definitely unprecedented. At least for the last 60 years. The next 10-12 days that followed were as much of a surprise for us here, as I am sure for you reading this.
While you may have a certain notion of the Greek Isles in your minds, (like warm weather, sunny days, beach, summer, deep blue seas), the snow storm in Skopelos surely is not one of them. People were stranded in several rural areas for days at a time without water or much food. They had to actually be rescued and lifted in the air by Super Puma, Rescue Helicopters. In other areas, the electricity went out for at least 2-3 days and the water also followed! Improvisation played a key role for survival during those days, (like melting the snow to get some water).
The Greek islands are not really organised for such snow storms. There is not much infrastructure to face a storm of this size. It took them days to even get bulldozers and graders to approach and clear out major roads so that people could just walk on, let alone drive!
There is much to be learned from this snow storm!
Did the municipality learn its lesson? Will they be better equipped for another snow storm maybe next year? We just have to wait and see. Hopefully the size of the snow that fell during those days will not be repeated for many years to come, (hopefully another 60 years or so).
It was also destructive in nature. Many pine trees collapsed and fell in the middle of roads from masses of snow pilled on top of them. Many more trees just burned and instantly froze from the sudden temperature drops. Flowers, well poor flowers. There is not one left alive!
Luckily and despite the 2 meters of snow, (yes this is true in certain areas), we did not have much damage done in Skopelos Country Villas. All of our beautiful flowers are dead – but nothing that is not repairable.
Without further ado, please enjoy these pictures I collected from around the web because they are certainly very pretty!
