Greece's ELGA launches damage assessment after hailstorm devastates crops in Thessaly and Evros

A severe hailstorm on 24‑25 July 2026 swept central and eastern Greece, destroying thousands of hectares of agricultural land. In Thessaly and the wider Central Greece region, crops such as cotton, corn, beans, sunflowers, vegetables, nuts and fruit trees were heavily damaged. Similar extreme precipitation struck the Evros area, affecting cotton, corn, melons and orchard plantations.

The Hellenic Agricultural Insurance Organization (ELGA) mobilised teams immediately. Field inspections began on Saturday in the municipalities of Lamia, Makrakomi, Amphiklia‑Elati, as well as in the districts of Tyrnavos and Elassona, and rapidly expanded to the Evros prefecture and other affected localities. ELGA will accept damage claims until 10 August 2026, with the government proposing a legislative amendment to pay 100 % of the insured value of production and to provide advance payments of up to 65 % under the “Daniel‑Elias” model. Senior officials involved include Vice‑President of the Government K. Hatziadakis, Agriculture Minister M. Schoina, Deputy G. Andrianos and ELGA President A. Lycourenzos. Farmers are pressing for swift compensation and relief measures.