Severe flooding in Crete: Bridge collapses in Mylopotamos, ravines and schools closed

Torrential rains hit Crete today, 1 October, causing flooding, landslides and road closures in several regions of the island, as Crete Tip reports, citing the local media outlet Nea Kriti. In Mylopotamos, Rethymno, a bridge collapsed during the storm: a car carrying a couple was trapped under the rubble and the driver was freed by emergency crews.

The Region of Crete, under Governor Stavros Arnaoutakis, has imposed a preventive ban on entry into high-risk natural areas across the island. The ban covers all ravines, mountain hiking trails — including the European E4 trail — and areas with steep terrain, and remains in force until Sunday, 4 October. The Region’s Civil Protection is coordinating with the National Civil Protection Mechanism and the flood-risk committee of the Ministry for Climate Crisis; the authorities have also sent emergency alerts through the 112 system.

The heaviest blow fell on the Lasithi Plateau in the east of the island: vehicle traffic has been banned in the village of Kampos due to worsening conditions, while landslides near the village of Kera have made the road impassable. All schools in the regional unit of Lasithi remained closed today, and major damage to crops is reported. Seismologist Efthymios Lekkas warned that not only the intensity but also the duration of the rain is worrying, as saturated soil increases the risk of flash flooding even in urban areas.

In the Foinikia neighbourhood of Heraklion, homes and shops were flooded after the drainage system failed to cope with the storm. Authorities urge visitors to avoid ravines and mountain trails until 4 October, as well as unnecessary travel in Lasithi and low-lying coastal areas.