Crete declares red alert as storms raise flood risk, prompting school closures
Weather conditions across Crete deteriorated rapidly overnight, with strong rain and storms affecting several parts of the island on Thursday morning. The Region of Crete has been placed under a “Red Code” mobilization status until Sunday, October 4, 2026, as authorities brace for flooding and damaging winds.
According to an emergency severe weather bulletin issued by the National Meteorological Service (EMY), following an assessment by the Risk Evaluation Committee, the risk of flooding is forecast to be very high across the entire Region of Crete. Meteorologists have warned of extreme weather, with northerly gale-force winds expected to reach up to nine Beaufort. Forecasters said it is particularly likely that more than 300 tons of water per stremma could fall in Chania and Rethymno — an amount that would typically accumulate over six months, now expected within just four to five days.
Crete was already bracing for the new storm system, which forecasters had flagged in advance as likely to bring the heaviest rain on the island. An emergency 112 alert message was sent early Thursday morning to residents and visitors in the Zoniana, Livadia and mountainous Mylopotamos areas because of intense weather hitting the region.
Authorities are emphasizing prevention and urging people to avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the phenomena. Citizens have been asked to stay away from streams and torrents, avoid attempting to cross flooded roads, and steer clear of low-water crossings, while closely following instructions from the relevant services.
Fire service reinforces Crete
The Fire Service has raised its state of readiness because of the severe weather expected across the Region of Crete. On the order of the Fire Service chief, reinforcements departed Piraeus by ferry on Wednesday evening bound for Chania, including the head of the Fire Operations Branch to coordinate operations, a Flash Flood Response Unit with boats from the 6th Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), a specialized tracked vehicle and boat from the 1st EMAK, and a Motorized Special Fire Operations Unit equipped with pumping systems. The Fire Service said the deployment is intended to further strengthen the operational readiness of Crete’s fire services to respond immediately to any problems arising from the severe weather. Warnings of strong winds echo a Heraklion Port Authority alert issued earlier in the week over gale-force conditions.
Officials urge caution
Deputy Regional Governor for Civil Protection Giorgos Tsapakos told Cretalive that increased caution is required from the public, noting that planning and coordination among services are already under way. He said the strongest phenomena are expected mainly in Chania and Rethymno, though intense weather in eastern Crete cannot be ruled out. “We are ready to deal with any problems that may arise,” he said, asking citizens to follow the instructions of the authorities.
The Municipality of Heraklion has also placed all its services, staff and machinery on standby. Deputy Mayor for Civil Protection Giorgos Karantinos told Cretalive that particular attention is required in areas that have had problems in the past, and urged residents to limit unnecessary travel and take special care at low-water crossings.
Schools closed in several areas
The Municipality of Lasithi Plateau announced that, by decision of the mayor, all school units of every level will suspend operation for the day because of the severe weather affecting the area, citing the safety of students, teachers and parents during their commute.
Schools will also remain closed on Thursday, October 1, in the regional units of Chania and Rethymno because of the dangerous weather phenomena expected there, a move detailed in a report on Chania and Rethymno school closures. In the Municipality of Malevizi, the municipal infant care center in Agia Pelagia will not operate today, along with kindergartens and primary schools in Agia Pelagia and Fodele; the municipality had earlier urged residents in several coastal areas to limit travel as the storms approached, a step covered in coverage of Malevizi’s storm response. All other school units in Malevizi, both public and private, as well as municipal nurseries, kindergartens and day centers, are expected to operate normally.
