Two years ago there was a massive storm over Greece which was called a Medicane, as it resembles the Caribbean hurricane in nature. This storm swept through the Ionian leaving a trail of carnage before heading off to wreak havoc elsewhere. At least two people died in this storm as their boats sank and hundreds of boats were damaged. Winds were up to hurricane strength. The storm that was brewing off Libya was showing the same characteristics and so a move to shelter was urgent to protect Deja Vu and ourselves. At the time the storm, which was now featuring in the forecasts with the name Ianos, was due to hit Wednesday night and Thursday . We booked a berth in Levkas Marina for these nights but we were told the marina was full on Friday so we would have to leave.
The forecasts in the meantime had changed to show the storm coming later and with greater intensity. One forecast showed it heading straight for us with winds up to 75kt and the others showed it moving further south.
We frantically sought a safe berth for Friday night, calling all the marinas and even the yard to ask if they could lift us out of the water. At the 11th hour the new marina in Preveza called us back to say that had one berth left. We booked it for three nights and headed out straight away. A run north with storm skies behind us, it was an adrenaline fuelled sail!
Safely berthed we waited for the storm to come. Thursday night saw the start of the high wind and torrential rain. Fortunately as Preveza is 10 miles north of Levkas this additional distance was critical in such a severe weather event and we were just outside of the severely windy area. The centre of the storm passed over Kefalonia and Ithaca where winds speeds in excess of 50kt were forecast. The screenshot of the forecast map shows the size and force of the storm. It is expected to leave the Ionian on Saturday, heading south and gathering strength again as it crosses the warm waters of the southern Ionian. We are so grateful for our safe berth and worry for the future as with the warming planet such weather events will become more frequent.
We are now reading reports of severe damage to property and a large number of yachts, some sunk, on Zakinthos. No reports from other areas yet.
Deja Vu 
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