Severe Storms Hit Alexandria: Floods, Damage, and Power Outages

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

On Saturday, Alexandria, a city by the sea in Egypt, faced very strong storms with heavy rain, hail, and even some snow. These storms caused flash floods, power cuts, and damage to buildings in many parts of the city. It was one of the worst storms Alexandria has seen in recent years, so the local government started an emergency plan to keep everyone safe.

The heavy rain and hail caused big problems. Alexandria University had to delay the final exams for the 2024–2025 school year. Also, middle school exams started one hour late because the storm began very early in the morning, making travel difficult and dangerous on the city roads.

The Alexandria Port Authority closed both the Alexandria and Dekheila harbours because strong winds and high waves made it too risky for ships. They wanted to protect the port and its workers from harm.

The Alexandria Governor’s office said they raised the emergency alert to the highest level. Teams from civil defence, power companies, and the police worked hard across the city to clear flooded streets and help traffic move again. They also responded to a building that partly collapsed in the El-Raml area and checked two other buildings that were damaged in the Sporting district. Luckily, no one was hurt in these incidents.

The storm caused streetlights, trees, and advertising signs to fall down, especially along the coastal Corniche and on main roads. Many neighborhoods on the east side of the city lost electricity, and fishing was stopped because the sea was too rough.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned that the bad weather would continue until Sunday morning. They said there would be more thunderstorms, strong winds up to 50 kilometers per hour, and dangerous waves along the coast. People were asked to stay inside and avoid places that might flood.

To help the city’s drainage system, which was struggling with so much rainwater, officials lowered the water pressure in some areas of western Alexandria and Montaza district. Teams were sent out quickly to remove fallen trees and clean the streets so water could flow better and roads could be used again.

The Ministry of Health raised its alert level in all hospitals and clinics in the city. Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered extra readiness for ambulances and medical staff. According to the ministry’s spokesperson, no injuries or deaths had been reported so far. They asked everyone to follow safety advice and stay inside if possible.

Ambulances were placed in busy and crowded areas in case they were needed quickly for emergencies.

Social Solidarity Minister Maya Morsy set up a central operations room to work with local officials. Offices in the region increased their alert levels, and teams went out to help people who were vulnerable, including those without homes, by providing shelter.

The Egyptian Red Crescent also sent emergency teams to help drivers stuck in floods and to evacuate people from dangerous areas. Strong wind gusts over 50 kilometers per hour and heavy rain made the rescue work very hard during the morning.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s office said the government was watching the situation closely and would share updates when needed. They reminded everyone to stay safe and help emergency workers do their jobs.