Severe weather has battered Crete since Wednesday night, triggering flooding, landslides, power outages, and school closures across the island.
Mountainous areas such as Mylopotamos, Zoniana, and Livadia were among the worst affected, according to officials.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms turned roads into torrents, washed debris onto streets, and damaged infrastructure.
Floodwaters entered homes and basements, requiring emergency pumping operations.
Power cuts hit several communities, including Zoniana, Anogeia, and Axos.
Bridge Collapse and Travel Warnings
In Livadia, a partial collapse of the Diskouri bridge caused a vehicle carrying two people to fall into a river.
Both occupants were injured and taken to Heraklion University General Hospital for treatment, though their condition remains undisclosed, local authorities said.
Authorities issued travel warnings advising residents to avoid the most affected zones in Mylopotamos to prevent accidents and further disruptions.
Municipal crews continue efforts to clear debris and restore access.
Heavy rainfall also impacted parts of Heraklion city, causing flooding and prompting calls for water removal assistance.
Power interruptions were reported in neighborhoods including Agios Ioannis Chostos and Tsalikaki.
On the Lasithi Plateau, rainfall totals reached 174 millimeters by Thursday morning, intensifying concerns over flooding and swelling streams such as Kalogeropotamos.
In Palekastro, large volumes of water submerged parked vehicles.
Giorgos Athanasakis, mayor of the Municipality of Lasithi Plateau, urged residents to limit travel and exercise caution due to continuing severe weather conditions.
School operations were suspended across multiple municipalities including Mylopotamos, Lasithi, Sitia, Chania, Rethymno, and Minoa Pediada as a precaution to reduce travel risks for students and staff during the storm, according to local authorities.
Weather forecasts predict rainfall accumulations in some mountain regions of Crete could exceed 400 millimeters by Sunday, with models indicating potentially catastrophic flooding.
Meteorological services warn residents and visitors to closely monitor updates and avoid flooded roads or hazardous areas.
The European ECMWF model projects the heaviest rain across northern slopes of the Cretan mountains, particularly between Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion.
Officials emphasize that rainfall amounts will vary by location and advise caution especially for mountain travel and rural excursions.
Authorities and civil protection agencies remain on high alert, coordinating response efforts to manage the impact of this prolonged low-pressure system over the eastern Mediterranean, which is driving the severe weather over Crete.
