Newsflash from Friday, 13 February 2026:
A night of extreme weather has left parts of Crete reeling, as gale-force winds and violent thunderstorms swept across the island, causing significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and local road networks.
The most severe impacts were recorded in the Heraklion hinterland and Southern Crete, where emergency services worked through the night to manage the fallout from the storm.
Tornado Ravages Ierapetra’s Greenhouses
The eastern region of Ierapetra bore the brunt of the wind’s fury. In the Livadia area, a tornado formed late at night, tearing through agricultural installations. According to local reports, at least two greenhouses were almost completely leveled, while several others suffered extensive damage.
Images from the scene show a landscape of twisted metal and shredded plastic—a devastating blow to local farmers who rely on these structures for their livelihoods.
Infrastructure in Crisis: Bridges and Roads Severed
The municipality of Faistos was particularly hard-hit by flooding. Torrential rain turned streets into rivers, leaving roads buried under thick layers of mud and debris.
One of the most dramatic incidents occurred near Tympaki around midnight, where a bridge on the road to the local reclamation project was effectively “cut in two” by the force of the water. Municipal authorities acted quickly to close the road and prevent potential accidents.
Further inland, the road connecting Kamares to Vorizia was blocked after a massive rockfall triggered by the heavy rains sent boulders onto the asphalt, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
Calls for a State of Emergency
In the wake of the destruction, residents and local officials in the Faistos Municipality are urgently calling for the area to be declared in a State of Emergency.
The storm has caused:
* Widespread flooding of agricultural land and crops.
* Collapse of road surfaces and rural networks.
* Structural damage to bridges and public infrastructure.
Declaring a state of emergency would allow the municipality to bypass bureaucratic hurdles, securing the immediate funding and resources needed to restore safety and repair the damaged networks.
Emergency Services on High Alert
The Hellenic Fire Service remained active throughout the night across Crete. Teams were dispatched to numerous locations to remove fallen trees that had been uprooted by the gale-force winds, blocking roads and threatening power lines.
As the island begins the cleanup process today, authorities are advising residents to remain cautious, particularly when traveling on the rural road network where the risk of further landslides remains high.
Are you in Crete? Have you been affected by the recent storms? Let us know the situation in your area in the comments below, and stay safe.
