Burak Bir
03 October 2026•Update: 03 October 2026
Severe storms continued to batter the southern island of Crete on Saturday, resulting in widespread flooding and damage, with dozens of people being evacuated, according to media reports.
Iraklio, Chania and Rethymno are among the worst-hit areas, where torrential rain caused rivers and streams to overflow and swept debris onto roads, the Kathimerini newspaper reported.
Eight workers remain stranded inside the Samaria Gorge in western Crete, one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions, after floodwaters covered the trail.
According to the report, the workers -- six employees of Greece’s Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency and two forest rangers – entered the area on Sept. 29 and have been unable to leave due to deteriorating conditions.
They are stranded approximately 4.3 miles from the entrance.
Separately, homes located near a river in the village of Zoniana have been evacuated after a river overflowed, according to Mylopotamos Mayor Giorgos Klados.
The mayor also ordered the evacuation of the settlement of Dafnedes.
The evacuations came after authorities on the island of Crete issued an emergency alert as severe weather brought strong winds and flooding, prompting road and school closures.
Homes have flooded and roads have been covered with debris due to heavy rain on parts of the Greek island, while strong winds forced ferry cancellations.
