Severe Storms Devastate Greek Islands, with Crete Facing Worst Flooding

Torrential rains and hailstorms have caused flash flooding, infrastructure damage, and travel disruptions across Greek islands, reigniting concerns over increasing extreme weather events linked to climate change.

Crete experienced the heaviest rainfall, with the highest recorded near the port of Chania, causing widespread flooding, rockslides, and road closures.
On Paros, floodwaters swept cars into the sea and inundated homes and businesses, while Mykonos also faced significant damage from hailstorms and torrential rain.
Local authorities on Paros and Mykonos have requested emergency government assistance to address road and infrastructure damage, with Mykonos' mayor calling for a state of emergency.
Rescue operations on Crete freed seven people trapped in vehicles by floodwaters, as emergency crews worked to clear debris and restore access across affected areas.
The storms, which disrupted schools and ferry services across multiple islands, follow a rare earthquake swarm weeks earlier, compounding challenges for Greece's Cyclades region.