In the last decade (2014-2024), at least 681,000 people were affected by floods, and 1,579 lives were lost across 24 European countries, according to a study by “MIIR”.
For the 2023-2024 period, Greece ranks first in flooded land area (1,223,750 hectares) and second in the number of affected people (44,120). Germany ranks second in flooded land area (1,078,200 hectares), while eastern Spain (Valencia) ranks first in the number of affected people (190,080).
During the same period (2023-2024), Thessaly recorded the largest damage in Europe to agricultural land and transportation infrastructure (4,256.2 km). “MIIR” reveals that the damage caused by “Daniel” in Thessaly was much greater than initially estimated (up to 50% more).
Floods are the most common natural disaster (44% of the total) and account for nearly half of all deaths caused by natural disasters.
The official death toll in Thessaly in 2023 was 17. However, a recent study reveals that the actual number of deaths was 20 times higher in the first quarter after the floods. A total of 335 people died within three months, mostly from cardiovascular and/or respiratory issues.
Greece is also ranked 4th in flood-related deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean, with a 2.5% annual likelihood of a flood event causing 80+ deaths.
Flood frequency has more than doubled since 2004, according to scientists, due to the acceleration of the hydrological cycle driven by human-induced climate change.
In the last 30 years, floods in Europe have affected 5.5 million people, caused over 3,000 deaths, and resulted in economic losses exceeding 170 billion euros.
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