One dead, hundreds evacuated in western Greek floods

Floods and landslides caused by heavy torrential rains in western Peloponnese in Greece have killed an elderly woman and forced hundreds of others to be evacuated, authorities said on Sunday. A state of emergency has been declared for the municipalities of Pyrgos and Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, following the discovery of the body of an 80-year-old woman who had drowned when her house flooded in a landslide in a small village. Rescue teams have evacuated entire families trapped in their homes and cars from the rushing water and mud in a large area affected by the worst storm in the past decade. The authorities also ordered the evacuation of the general hospital of the city of Pyrgos. About 85 patients were transferred to other health centers. Firefighters, police and army units, according to local media reports, received some 300 dozen calls for help by locals.