Gale-force winds ground ferries from Crete as 112 alert urges limited travel
A sailing ban has grounded ferries serving Crete after gale-force winds reaching up to 9 Beaufort swept through the region’s sea areas, the Hellenic Coast Guard said. Ships remain docked in port, and evening ferry routes from Piraeus to Crete have also been cancelled.
The strong winds have disrupted ferry scheduling across the network. According to the Heraklion Port Authority, the sailing ban is also in effect at the ports of Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. The Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed that evening sailings to Crete would not take place due to the adverse weather conditions.
Passengers who have scheduled travel are advised to contact their local port authorities, ferry companies or travel agents before heading to the ports, as the situation is being reassessed according to how weather conditions develop. The disruption follows a broader pattern of storm-related ferry schedule changes affecting routes to and from the island in recent days.
112 alert issued across Crete, travel limits urged until Saturday
At the same time, Crete remains on heightened alert as heavy rainfall continues, with a new wave of severe weather expected from the evening of Friday, October 2 until 18:00 on Saturday, October 3. The 112 emergency alert system was activated for the entire Region of Crete, recommending that residents limit their movements.
Fire service crews remain heavily mobilized, carrying out assistance calls, water pumping and tree-cutting operations, and are on standby to relocate residents to safe locations where necessary. The Fire Service said municipalities across the island’s regional units are also on standby, with heavy machinery assisting operations.
Two minors preventively relocated in Zoniana
The situation remains particularly difficult in Mylopotamos, where severe weather has caused serious problems. In the village of Zoniana, firefighters carried out the preventive relocation of two minors on Friday afternoon, moving them from their home to another house due to rising water levels.
Earlier, at 16:29, a separate 112 message was sent for the Municipality of Mylopotamos, instructing residents to limit their movements and follow instructions from authorities. The alert echoes a similar 112 alert issued for Mylopotamos during earlier storms this week.
With rainfall continuing on land and gale-force winds disrupting sea traffic, Crete faces another difficult night. The resumption of ferry sailings and the course of the weather will depend on conditions in the coming hours, as the island continues to monitor the storm’s progress in Rethymno and surrounding areas.
