In the early hours of Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Limassol, Cyprus, was hit by at least two tornadoes, resulting in extensive and unprecedented damage.
According to local authorities, the tornadoes caused significant destruction, including the tearing off of roofs, toppling of a building crane, and scattering photovoltaic installations onto the streets. Electricity poles were uprooted, severely impacting the city's infrastructure and the lives of its residents.
Kyriakos Xydias, mayor of Germasoyeia, characterized the damage as massive and unprecedented, particularly affecting this popular tourist destination within Limassol. Debris strewn along the Nicosia-Limassol highway and the 12-kilometer esplanade led to the closure of several roads in the area.
Xydias reported that over 50 premises sustained damage, with five homes deemed uninhabitable. One individual was injured by shattered glass, and 20 roads were closed as a result of the storm.
Additionally, the aftermath of the storm has caused mudslides, further complicating the city's recovery efforts. Several key roadways, including Paramytha-Gerasa, Spitali-Fasoula, Fasoula-Limassol, and Apsiou-Mathikoloni, have become impassable except for four-wheel-drive vehicles or those equipped with anti-skid chains.
