Severe storms and heavy flooding struck parts of Crete, washing cars and trees into the sea and forcing tourist evacuations. Roads around Ierapetra and other areas were blocked by debris and small landslides, trapping motorists including 23 people in their vehicles. Authorities recorded up to 42 cm of rain in the Chania (Canea) area and reported winds of Beaufort eight to nine. Emergency teams are clearing roads, monitoring rivers and urging residents to limit travel.
Severe Storms and Flooding Batter Crete: Cars Washed Out to Sea, Tourists Evacuated
The heavy storms and floods washed away trees and vehicles (Costas METAXAKIS)
Heavy storms and intense flooding left parts of the Greek island of Crete in disarray over Friday and Saturday, trapping motorists, forcing tourist evacuations and damaging coastal infrastructure, local officials said.
The surge of floodwaters was strong enough to wash cars and uprooted trees into the sea along the island’s coastline. In the worst-hit areas, roads were blocked by debris and small landslides, cutting communities off and complicating emergency response efforts.
Local officials report evacuations and precautionary hospital visit
“We had to evacuate a few tourists and a woman had to be taken to hospital as a precaution,” Manolis Frangoulis, mayor of the port town of Ierapetra, told AFP.
State broadcaster ERT reported that flooding on the road between Ierapetra and Sitia trapped 23 people in their vehicles. In one incident, three tourists and their taxi driver abandoned a car after floodwaters began carrying it away.
At the port of Canea (Chania), a popular tourist destination on the northwest coast, giant waves battered the shoreline, damaging seafront restaurants and other tourist venues.
The Civil Protection Agency urged residents in affected towns to limit travel while emergency teams worked to clear roads, remove debris and reopen access. Deputy Governor of the Heraklion Region Nikos Syrigonakis said crews were clearing small landslides and remained on high alert as they monitored river and stream levels.
Between Friday and Saturday at 15:50 GMT the Greek National Observatory recorded 42 cm of rain in the Canea (Chania) department. The national weather service EMY reported wind speeds reaching Beaufort force eight to nine in some areas.
Emergency services continued clearing roads, assessing damage to coastal infrastructure and coordinating rescues and precautionary evacuations. Authorities warned residents and visitors to avoid nonessential travel until conditions improve and repairs are made.
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