Intense storms struck the island of Crete in southern Greece on Saturday, resulting in widespread flooding and significant damage. Authorities were called to rescue dozens of individuals trapped in vehicles and residences, according to local reports.
The regions most affected included Iraklio, Hania, and Rethymno, where torrential rain caused rivers and streams to overflow, leading to mudslides on roadways.
Additionally, eight workers became stranded in the Samaria Gorge, a popular tourist destination in western Crete, as floodwaters obstructed their path. The workers entered the gorge on September 29 for service activities and were unable to exit due to deteriorating weather conditions, positioned approximately seven kilometers from the entrance of the 13-kilometer-long gorge.
Authorities have advised these workers to remain in a safe location, as conditions do not allow for a secure evacuation.
One of the trapped workers told public broadcaster ERT that they have sufficient food and supplies until Wednesday and are in contact with authorities. He noted that the only safe way to leave the gorge is for the floodwaters to recede and the rain to stop.
On Saturday, an alert was issued via the 112 system for residents of the Mylopotamos area, a municipality in central-western Crete, urging them to limit travel and seek higher ground due to heavy rainfall, flooding, and significant mud on the roads.
The situation was particularly critical in the village of Zoniana, where the local river overflowed, prompting evacuations of homes near the banks, according to Mylopotamos mayor Giorgos Klados. He also ordered the evacuation of the village of Dafnedes.
In Zoniana, authorities opened a section of the main road to facilitate drainage of accumulated water in the village.
Significant damage has also been reported to roads and rural infrastructure in the Livadia area, where access was again blocked due to heavy rains.
“The situation is tragic at the moment. There is a serious problem in Mylopotamos. It feels like the heavens have opened,” Klados stated to local news site Cretalive.
In southeastern Crete, firefighters rescued 23 people from vehicles and homes in the areas of Ferma and Makrys Gialos, near Ierapetra. They also received numerous requests for water evacuation from flooded residences and commercial spaces.
The road linking Ierapetra to Siteia, a town on the eastern coast of Crete, suffered severe damage, with three sections immediately east of Ferma becoming impassable. At one of these points, a lane heading east was washed away and ended up in the sea.
A taxi carrying three tourists was also swept away while driving uphill, but it came to a stop after being pushed to the roadside, allowing the driver and passengers to escape, according to ERT.
Crete experienced exceptionally high rainfall amounts during the storms. Data from the Meteo service of the National Observatory of Athens reported 318 millimeters of rain in Xyloskalo, located in the Hania regional unit.
Authorities have maintained a high alert status across Crete and have increased the number of response units deployed.
