Southeastern Europe: Magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurs 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Florina, Greece, at around 23:43 EET Jan. 9

Event

A magnitude-5.5 earthquake occurred in northern Greece at around 23:43 EET Jan. 9. The epicenter was about 5 km (3 miles) northwest of Florina, Greece. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 14 km (9 miles), and moderate-to-strong shaking was probably felt in areas of northern Greece near the epicenter, with lighter shaking likely felt in parts of southeastern Europe further from the epicenter. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.