Storm Erminio is set to rip through Greece as Brits take flight for the Easter holidays. State weather service EMY has forecast “severe weather” until Thursday, April 2, across huge swathes of the country, with “prolonged and intense rain and thunderstorms, and possibly localised hailstorms”.

Favourite destinations among Brits, the Aegean Islands and Crete, have been put under a yellow warning for “gale force” wind, with people told to look out for flying debris, alongside more severe orange rain warnings. In the Dodecanese Islands, the agency warned: “TAKE ACTION to protect yourself and act on advice given by authorities. Widespread flooding with significant risk to life and evacuations are possible.”

It added: “Severe travel disruption and loss of power, communications and water supplies is likely. Dangerous driving conditions due to reduced visibility and aquaplaning.”

The agency forecast up to 80mm of rain was “likely” in these islands, which were placed under the more severe red warning for rain.

Wind speeds are understood to have reached 31mph on their way east from Sicily, Cyprus and onto Greece. Flights and ferries have reportedly been affected as well.

In Crete, three flights bound for Iraklio had to be rerouted, the state news agency ANA said, while most ferries have had to remain in port.

In the West Macedonia region, the forecaster told people to take extra care in exposed areas, such as mountains, forests, and open terrain.

It said precipitation could reach 40 to 50mm in the Central Macedonia region, and urged residents to “protect yourself and your property”, warning that some properties and transport networks could flood, and some evacuations “may be required”.

Footage on social media showed torrential rain and hail hammering northern Greece, with water rushing through the streets.

Its severe weather warnings subside by Friday.