Heavy flooding on the Greek island of Crete damaged roads, flooded hundreds of homes, and swept cars into the sea amid ongoing torrential rainfall.
Authorities Tuesday said the worst damage occurred east of the island’s capital, Iraklio, in small towns and villages where schools were closed and residents were advised to stay indoors.
“Since last night and until today, incessant, huge amounts of water have turned the streets into rivers… and unfortunately, the damage is inestimable,” Tassos Kouroupakis, the civil protection governor for Crete, told Greek state television.
The fire brigade said it had received 230 calls to pump out rainwater from homes and help people trapped in the floods move to safety.
In the worst-affected areas, some residents sought refuge on the roofs of their homes as muddy water swept through towns, dragging cars and debris.
It was the third time in less than a month that the area has been hit by flooding. Heavy rainfall is expected to continue through Thursday.
No injuries were reported, but regional government officials said the island’s road network had been damaged, along with homes and businesses, many already shuttered due to a nationwide lockdown in effect since Saturday.
It is the second time in three weeks that the Mediterranean island has been hit by bad weather. A freak storm swept through Heraklion, Crete’s biggest city, on October 20.
Sourced By: Associated Press
