The Region of Crete is advising residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution on Friday, as weather forecasts warn of powerful storms hitting the island. Officials are warning people to avoid areas where there is the slightest chance of flash flooding.
According to the alert, Crete’s fire service has advised residents to clear their gutters and balcony drains, and to avoid walking or driving in areas prone to sudden or extreme flooding. The service warned motorists, in particular, to be cautious if driving on roads near streams and floodplains.
Clearly, Crete officials are aiming to prevent a repeat of last year’s catastrophe when a family drowned after their car was swept up in a flood near the Geropotamos River in Rethymno.
Flooding for unseasonable rains in Chania and Rethymno prefectures last year cause tens of millions and damage and claimed several lives.
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) has issued thunderstorm alerts, but no severe weather warnings for Crete as of 11:35 Athens time. The Weather Channel radar shows relatively clear skies over the island at this point.