112 issues travel warning as severe weather hits Crete's Rethymno region

A public safety alert sent via 112 cautions citizens to refrain from traveling to Zoniána, Livádia and the Mylopotamos mountain region in the Rethymno regional unit because of hazardous weather. The notice targets all individuals currently in the area or planning to move there, highlighting the risk of road closures and unsafe driving conditions. In response, the Fire Service increased its presence on Crete, sending teams by sea from Piraeus to Chania, including a rapid-deployment water group with 6th EMAC boats, a specialized pump vehicle, a 1st EMAC boat, and METPE units equipped with pumping rigs.

Meteorological forecasts anticipate severe thunderstorms, wind gusts reaching nine Beaufort, and rainfall that could deliver more than 300 tonnes per hectare in Chania and Rethymno—an amount normally spread over half a year. The regional government has declared a Red Code emergency for Crete, urging residents to limit travel to essential trips and follow official instructions until the weather eases.