Crete suffers worst flooding as storms pound Greek islands

Rescue crews freed seven on Crete as floods, rockslides hit; Chania saw highest rainfall in 24 hours, officials say.

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Ferocious storms have battered Greek islands for a second consecutive day, bringing heavy rainfall, floods, and destruction. Crete has been hit hardest, with torrential downpours submerging homes and businesses and turning roads into rivers of mud.

Authorities in the Cyclades, including Paros and Mykonos, scrambled to clear overturned cars and debris after severe hailstorms and heavy rainfall struck on Tuesday. Officials from the affected islands have requested emergency government assistance to repair damaged roads and infrastructure.

On Crete, rescue crews freed seven people trapped in vehicles by floodwaters, while rockslides and road closures were reported across the island. The National Observatory of Athens recorded the highest rainfall near Crete’s port city of Chania in the 24-hour period leading up to Tuesday afternoon.

Further east, the island of Rhodes faced gale-force winds that toppled trees and damaged vehicles. In response to the extreme weather, schools were closed on Tuesday across several islands, including Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Kos, Kalymnos, Symi, and Tilos.

The storms primarily impacted the Cyclades, a popular holiday destination famed for its whitewashed houses and pristine beaches. The extreme weather comes just weeks after a rare earthquake swarm forced thousands to evacuate Santorini and nearby islands, adding to the region’s recent struggles.