Crete at the mercy of severe weather: Floods, landslides, power cuts and closed schools
Severe Weather Disrupts Communities Across Crete
Poinews.com – A powerful spell of severe weather that began on Wednesday night has brought flooding, landslides, electricity failures and school closures to several parts of Crete, with mountainous communities in Mylopotamos among the hardest hit.
Emergency crews from the Municipality of Mylopotamos and the Region of Crete have been deployed since the early hours of the storm, working to reopen routes, clear debris and restore access to villages affected by heavy rainfall. The immediate focus has been on Zoniana, Livadia and Axos, where intense water flows have caused widespread disruption.
Flooded homes and damaged roads in Mylopotamos
In Zoniana, floodwater entered homes and covered roads, while debris carried by the rain was left across road surfaces. Pumping operations are under way to remove water from basements and other underground areas. Fallen electricity poles have also been reported in the village, adding to concerns over the local power supply.
Axos has faced similar difficulties, with crews responding to recorded damage and temporary travel problems on the road linking Axos and Anogeia. Residents and motorists have been urged to take particular care as conditions remain unstable in the mountain area.
In Livadia, the strength of the water damaged the Diskouri bridge. Part of the structure collapsed while a vehicle carrying a couple was crossing the area, sending the vehicle into the river. Both occupants were injured and transported to the University General Hospital of Heraklion for treatment. Their condition has not been made public.
Authorities have not received reports of people trapped by the flooding or of other incidents presenting an immediate threat to life. Even so, the damage to roads and bridges illustrates the danger created when fast-moving water reaches mountain settlements and transport routes.
Travel warning and electricity outages
A 112 emergency alert has advised people to avoid unnecessary travel to Zoniana, Livadia and the wider mountainous Mylopotamos area. The warning reflects the ongoing risks from flooded roads, rockfalls, landslides and damaged sections of the road network.
Officials are asking residents not to drive through water-covered roads or attempt to cross them on foot. Floodwater can conceal collapsed surfaces, debris and rapidly changing depths, especially near streams, bridges and low-lying crossings. Municipal teams remain on standby, prioritising safe access for communities affected by the storm.
Power cuts have affected Zoniana, Anogeia and Axos. HEDNO, the electricity grid operator, has been informed of the damage and repair crews are expected to carry out the necessary work. The outages have added another layer of difficulty for residents already dealing with standing water and transport disruption.
Heraklion, Lasithi and Sitia also affected
The storm has not been confined to Mylopotamos. Parts of Heraklion have experienced flooding, prompting calls to the Fire Service for water-pumping assistance. Electricity problems have been reported in the Agios Ioannis Chostos area, while disruption has also been recorded in Tsalikaki.
Heavy rain has continued through the night on the Lasithi Plateau. Meteo.gr data showed that Tzermiado had received 174 millimetres of rainfall by Thursday morning from the beginning of the severe weather. Such a volume of rain over a short period can overwhelm drainage systems, raise stream levels and make roads difficult to use.
Giorgos Athanasakis, mayor of the Municipality of Lasithi Plateau, has appealed to residents to reduce their movements and remain especially cautious while the weather system continues. The message is particularly important for people travelling between settlements, where local conditions can differ sharply from one road to the next.
In Sitia, substantial amounts of water accumulated in a car park in the Palekastro area, leaving vehicles submerged. The Kalogeropotamos stream near Agkathia has also swollen significantly, raising concern for neighbouring districts as the flow increased.
Schools closed as a precaution
School operations have been suspended in several areas as authorities seek to limit travel during the hazardous conditions. In the Municipality of Mylopotamos, primary and secondary schools are closed, along with kindergartens, nurseries and crèches.
All schools in the Regional Unit of Lasithi have also been closed for the day. Closures are in force in the municipalities of Sitia and Lasithi Plateau, while similar precautionary measures have been adopted in parts of Chania, Rethymno and the Municipality of Minoa Pediada.
The decisions are intended to reduce exposure for pupils, teachers and school staff at a time when road access, electricity and local infrastructure have been affected. For families, the closures underline the need to monitor official updates and avoid non-essential journeys until conditions improve.
With rainfall still affecting parts of the island, residents in vulnerable locations are being encouraged to remain alert to local warnings, keep away from swollen streams and avoid routes where flooding or slope damage has been reported. Recovery work will depend on safe access for crews as they assess damaged roads, electrical infrastructure and public facilities across Crete.
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