Greece: 101 Rescued in Southeast Crete Floods, Ferries Resume, Seamen Strike Oct. 30

October 4, 2026 — Update to our October 3 story. The Crete storms moved east overnight, and 101 people were rescued from flooded hotels and rooms near Ierapetra. Ferries from Piraeus are sailing again and the weather should clear Monday. A 24-hour seamen’s strike is called for October 30.

What changed

Ierapetra: 101 people were rescued from flooded accommodation at Ferma and Koutsounari, CNN Greece reports. No casualties were reported in this phase.
Roads: sections of the Ierapetra–Sitia road washed away at Agia Fotia and Koutsouras. Twenty-three people, including German and Swiss tourists, were freed from vehicles.
Mylopotamos: the water network is destroyed and about 4,000 residents are supplied by tanker. Schools there are closed October 5–6.
Alerts: Crete stays on Civil Protection’s red code through Sunday. Storms were forecast to weaken from midday Sunday and withdraw Monday, October 5.
Ferries: Piraeus sailings resumed gradually after 4 pm Saturday. Winds were still near 8 Beaufort in parts of the Aegean on Sunday morning.
Airports: we found no report of disruption at Heraklion or Chania.

Seamen’s strike: Friday, October 30

Union: PENEN, the lower-deck seamen’s union. We found no call from the wider PNO federation.
Scope: 24 hours, all categories of ships. Greek reports describe it as Attica-wide, meaning Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio. Exact hours: TBA.
Same day: Piraeus dockworkers are also striking.
Ferry operators’ rebooking policies: TBA.

What it means for airline travelers

Southeast Crete: do not drive the Ierapetra–Sitia road until it is confirmed open. Ask your hotel about water and access.
Ferries this week: confirm your sailing with the port authority or operator before heading to the port.
October 30: do not plan an island ferry connection to or from Athens that day. Fly, or travel a day earlier or later.
Standby to the islands: when ferries stop, island flights fill fast. List early and hold a backup.