Medicane Storm Ianos lashes western Greece

Medicanes closely resemble tropical cyclones and have become more frequent in recent years

A rare hurricane-like storm is lashing islands in western Greece, bringing torrential rain and power cuts.

Storm Ianos is described as a "medicane" (Mediterranean hurricane), a phenomenon that first appeared in Greece in 1995.

The cyclone is moving eastwards, so at the weekend the winds - now up to 117km/h (73mph) - are set to hit the Peloponnese, then Athens and Crete.

"Trees are falling everywhere," said Ionian Islands governor Rodi Kratsa.

Boats moored in Kefalonia took a battering

Medicane storm damage on Zakynthos

There are reports of flooded streets, power cuts and transport disruption on the islands of Kefalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca.

Off the western Peloponnese a boat believed to be carrying 55 migrants is in distress and the Greek coastguard has asked nearby ships to assist, AFP news agency reports.