Crete remained under an emergency weather response Friday as flood-hit Mylopotamos dealt with damaged roads, overflowing streams and landslides while another round of heavy rain approached. The Municipality of Mylopotamos was placed under a civil protection state of emergency on Oct. 1, with the designation scheduled to remain in effect until Dec. 30, 2026, as authorities assess damage and carry out recovery work.
The declaration followed an intense storm that brought exceptional rainfall to northern and mountainous Crete. The National Observatory of Athens said 361.4 millimeters (14.23 inches) of rain was recorded at Anogeia from Sept. 30 to midday Oct. 1. Floodwaters cut roads, damaged crossings and forced emergency crews to carry out rescues and water-pumping operations.
In Livadia, a vehicle carrying a couple fell into a riverbed after floodwaters damaged a bridge area. Both occupants were taken to the University Hospital of Heraklion, where early reports said their lives were not in danger.
Crete emergency response expands around flood-hit Mylopotamos
Authorities kept schools and municipal childcare facilities in Mylopotamos closed for a second day Friday, citing the new weather warning and serious damage to the road network. Municipal crews, regional authorities and private contractors worked to reopen routes and remove debris as access to some communities remained difficult.
The wider island was also under a separate Red Code mobilisation ordered by Greece’s Civil Protection authorities from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4. That measure placed emergency services, local governments and equipment on heightened readiness because of a forecast risk of flooding across Crete.
The storm also proved deadly elsewhere in the Rethymno regional unit. An 80-year-old livestock farmer was found dead near Karines in the Municipality of Agios Vasileios after he had been reported missing. Authorities said he was discovered near a stream under debris carried by floodwaters.
Second wave raises risk after roads and ground are saturated
Concern increased Friday as another period of heavy rain began developing over the island. Civil Protection officials warned that saturated soil and already damaged infrastructure could make even less intense rainfall dangerous.
The National Observatory forecast heavier rain and thunderstorms from Friday afternoon through Saturday, especially across northern, mountainous and semi-mountainous Crete.
Meteo classified Saturday’s rainfall episode as Category 4, or “very significant,” on its rainfall index. In Mylopotamos, a new 112 emergency alert urged residents to limit travel as water and debris again collected on roads. A torrent at Zoniana overflowed for a second day, and firefighters moved two minors from one home to another as a precaution.
The municipality said a full damage assessment would begin after the dangerous weather passed. Until then, authorities said the priority remained keeping roads passable, protecting residents, and responding to new flooding as the storm continued.
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