Μake us preferred on Google Crete is beginning the difficult task of assessing the damage left by five days of severe weather that brought extensive flooding and landslides across the Greek island, leaving one person dead and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, farmland and homes.
Specialist teams have begun inspections in affected areas as residents deal with the aftermath of the storms. Roads and other infrastructure have sustained extensive damage, while the agricultural and livestock sector has suffered major losses. Tourism has also been hit, with some businesses forced to close earlier than planned.
Homes and tourist accommodations were flooded by fast-moving torrents, while landslides cut off access to several areas.
Lasithi plateau turned into a lake
The Lasithi Plateau, a fertile highland area in eastern Crete, was among the worst-hit areas.
As much as 440 millimeters of rain fell there in just two days, turning the plain into a lake covering about 25 square kilometers. The flooding buried the area’s potato and vegetable production under water and mud.
The coastal area of Ammoudara in Malevizi, northern Crete, was also heavily affected. The beach was covered with mud, rocks and reeds, while the sea was turned brown by the material carried into the water.
Severe flooding was also reported in Koutsounari on the island’s southern coast, where major landslides occurred and tourists became trapped.
Access has been severely disrupted in parts of Mylopotamos, Zoniana and Anogeia because of extensive landslides.
Livestock and roads among major concerns
The damage has also affected livestock farmers, with destroyed roads preventing them from reaching their livestock facilities and leaving herds without access to care.
Specialist teams are now documenting the damage in coastal areas of Ierapetra and across the island.
The assessment and recovery operation is only beginning, with authorities facing the task of recording extensive losses and restoring damaged infrastructure and access routes across Crete.
