Crete counts widespread storm damage as flooding forces dozens of residents from Zoniana homes
Residents across Crete faced a third difficult night on Saturday as severe storms continued to batter the island, causing extensive damage to roads, property and farmland.
In Zoniana, large volumes of water rushed down with force, turning roads into torrents, while mud and debris caused serious damage to property and infrastructure. The area’s biggest problem was identified at a local river, whose banks have been breached in several places. Residents were told from Saturday afternoon to leave their homes, and about 40 people were forced to evacuate as conditions remained very difficult.
The army was asked to assist with the response and to bring in additional machinery. Authorities said the response was immediate for both Ano Mylopotamos and Amari, where damage was also severe. The situation remains under close watch as Mylopotamos counts the damage from successive waves of heavy rain.
Successive waves of intense rainfall caused serious problems on the road network, with landslides and large volumes of water and debris making travel difficult or impossible in several locations.
Conditions were especially difficult in the municipal communities of Fourfouras, Platania and Vistagi, where roads were turned into raging torrents. Prolonged rainfall carried large quantities of water, stones and soil onto road surfaces, and landslides were also reported.
Lasithi Plateau declares state of emergency
On the Lasithi Plateau, damage was described as enormous following the storm’s destructive passage. The scale of the destruction was captured in drone video obtained by Cretalive. The municipality declared a state of emergency after residents saw their properties buried in mud.
Damage was also severe in Heraklion. Producers in the Profitis Ilias area said they were in despair over the severe storm and the unprecedented volume of water that swept away crops in its path.
Four people rescued near Ierapetra
In Ierapetra, four people were rescued by port authorities from the Agia Fotia cove after severe flooding made the local road network impassable. Storm damage was reported more broadly as flooding covered beaches in mud and triggered landslides and road closures in the wider area.
According to the Coast Guard, the four people were picked up by a vessel and transported safely to the small harbor of Makrys Gialos in Ierapetra. All those rescued were reported to be in good health.
The National Meteorological Service (EMY) has forecast that storm conditions in Crete will persist but become milder on Sunday and begin to ease, a shift already reflected in reports that Crete remains under red alert as officials say storms will ease.
Fire service units remain deployed in strength across the Region of Crete, and all relevant authorities remain on heightened alert.
