Rethymno on alert for new storm wave as Mylopotamos counts damage
The Region of Crete, local municipalities and civil protection authorities in Rethymno are on alert for a new wave of severe weather expected from the afternoon of Friday, October 2, as the Mylopotamos area continues to assess damage from an earlier storm that left one person dead and caused widespread destruction to infrastructure.
The Municipality of Mylopotamos has declared a state of emergency for civil protection because of the scale of the damage. Earlier reports said a 112 emergency alert had been issued for the area as the first wave of storms struck. All schools and nurseries in the municipality remained closed on Friday for the safety of students and staff, authorities said.
Flooding and infrastructure damage
The most severe problems were reported in Zoniana, Livadia, Axos and other mountain communities of Mylopotamos. In Zoniana, the overflow of the local river sent large volumes of water and debris through the village, damaging roads, retaining walls and other infrastructure, the municipality said.
Water supply and sewage networks across the area sustained major damage, and power outages were reported in mountain villages. The broader deterioration came after the new storm system forecast earlier in the week brought heavier rainfall than expected. Damage to the sewage network between Axos and Apladiana was particularly extensive, and both the main and rural road networks were severely affected, local authorities said.
The storm also caused partial building collapses. In Kynigiana, a small, uninhabited house partially collapsed, and two more houses were partially damaged in Veni, the municipality said. A final tally of the damage is expected once the weather clears.
The storm proved fatal in Karines, in the municipality of Agios Vasileios. An 80-year-old livestock farmer, who had left for his sheepfold on Wednesday evening and was reported missing, was found dead following a search operation involving police and fire service personnel.
A further tragedy was narrowly avoided in Livadia, where a farm vehicle carrying a couple was swept away by floodwaters after the road beneath it collapsed. Both occupants were rescued and taken to the University Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI), where they are reported to be in good health.
The intensity of the storm is illustrated by rainfall totals recorded in Anogeia, where the network of the National Observatory of Athens/meteo.gr measured 361.4 millimeters of rain between Wednesday and midday Thursday.
New wave of rain expected through Sunday
Attention has now turned to the next deterioration in weather conditions. Civil protection services, the Region of Crete, municipalities, the Fire Service and the Police remain on standby as already affected areas prepare for a new round of rainfall, following the earlier period that saw authorities issue a red alert over flood risk and school closures.
Forecasts indicate the new system will mainly affect the northern and mountainous parts of Crete and is expected to last until Sunday. Authorities said the priority is protecting residents and discouraging travel on roads already weakened by storm damage, warning that further heavy rain could worsen conditions in areas still recovering.
