Severe weather sweeping across the Greek island of Crete has triggered widespread flooding, landslides, power outages, and school closures, particularly impacting mountainous regions such as Mylopotamos, Zoniana, and Livadia. Heavy rain and violent thunderstorms turned local roads into raging torrents, washing thick layers of debris and soil onto streets and causing significant structural damage.
- Bridge Collapse and Emergency Rescue in Livadia
- Widespread Impact Across Heraklion and Lasithi
- Emergency Alerts and Precautionary Closures
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What caused the severe weather and flooding in Crete?
- Which areas on the island were hit the hardest?
- Were there any injuries reported during the storms?
- How did authorities respond to the emergency?
- Are schools open while the severe weather continues?
Local authorities reported that floodwaters rapidly breached homes and basements, requiring intensive emergency pumping operations in communities like Zoniana and Axos. Power cuts plunged several areas into darkness after utility poles collapsed under the strain of the severe weather. The Hellenic Electricity Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO) deployed repair crews to restore power across affected districts including Zoniana, Anogeia, and Axos.
Bridge Collapse and Emergency Rescue in Livadia
The situation escalated dangerously in Livadia, where the intense force of the water flow caused a partial structural collapse of the Diskouri bridge. A vehicle carrying two people plunged directly into the riverbed as a section of the roadway gave way. Both occupants sustained injuries and were promptly transported by emergency services to the Heraklion University General Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their specific conditions have not been officially disclosed by local health authorities.
Municipal leaders, including Mylopotamos Mayor Giorgos Klados, described the scale of the rainfall as unprecedented for the region in decades, noting that parts of the local infrastructure effectively disappeared under the surging floodwaters.
Widespread Impact Across Heraklion and Lasithi
The storm system severely affected multiple regional units beyond Mylopotamos. In Heraklion, rainfall totals in areas such as Profitis Ilias exceeded 220 millimetres, bringing mud and stone cascading onto transport routes. Heavy machinery was mobilized throughout the night to clear blocked thoroughfares.
On the Lasithi Plateau, weather-related difficulties prompted Mayor Giorgos Athanasakis to urge residents to limit non-essential travel. Data from meteo.gr recorded 174 millimetres of rainfall in Tzermiado by Thursday morning. In Sitia’s Palekastro area, heavy runoff submerged parked vehicles, while the Kalogeropotamos stream in Agkathia swelled significantly, raising concerns among neighboring residential districts.
Emergency Alerts and Precautionary Closures
The civil protection apparatus raised alert levels across southern Greece, dispatching an elite water-rescue team, specialized watercraft, and heavy pumping units from Athens to reinforce local emergency crews on Crete. Authorities utilized the 112 emergency mobile alert system multiple times to warn residents against non-essential travel in high-risk zones like Zoniana, Livadia, and Minoa Pediada.
As a strict precautionary measure to protect students and school staff, regional administrations ordered the closure of primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and nurseries across Chania, Rethymno, Mylopotamos, Lasithi, Sitia, and Minoa Pediada.
Concurrently, gale-force winds ranging from 8 to 9 Beaufort in the Aegean Sea disrupted maritime transport. Ferry operators modified primary Piraeus-to-Crete itineraries by skipping intermediate stops at Serifos and Milos, while services from other ports faced cancellations and schedule adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the severe weather and flooding in Crete?
A powerful low-pressure weather system brought intense, concentrated rainfall and thunderstorms to southern Greece, particularly targeting Crete with hundreds of millimeters of rain in short durations.
Which areas on the island were hit the hardest?
The mountainous areas of Mylopotamos, Zoniana, Livadia, Axos, parts of Heraklion, and the Lasithi Plateau experienced the most severe flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage.
Were there any injuries reported during the storms?
Yes. Two individuals were injured when their vehicle fell into a riverbed after part of the Diskouri bridge collapsed in Livadia. They were safely recovered and taken to Heraklion University General Hospital.
How did authorities respond to the emergency?
Greek authorities issued multiple 112 emergency alerts, dispatched specialized water-rescue units and equipment from Athens, and deployed local municipal crews to clear debris and pump out flooded basements.
Are schools open while the severe weather continues?
No. As a precaution against hazardous road conditions and ongoing storms, regional authorities ordered the suspension of schools, nurseries, and kindergartens across multiple municipalities in Chania, Rethymno, Lasithi, and Heraklion.
