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Severe rain warning in Greece: what it means and what to do
Got a severe rain warning for Greece? Here is what it means, what to do, and what happens to ferries, flights and schools. Below: the latest rain warnings, updated automatically.
In Greece, warnings are issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY / HNMS) through the European MeteoAlarm system. Each warning has a colour (yellow, orange or red) and a severity: Moderate for yellow, Severe for orange and Extreme for red. So a “severe rain warning” is an orange rain warning.
For orange and red warnings EMY usually also issues an “emergency bulletin of dangerous weather phenomena” (Έκτακτο Δελτίο Επικίνδυνων Καιρικών Φαινομένων) listing areas, times and intensities. For example, the bulletin of 30 September 2026 put Crete on red, with heavy rain, thunderstorms and 8–9 Beaufort winds over the Aegean.
Latest rain and flood warnings in Greece
Crete Storm Damage: Authorities Complete 137 Building Inspections
📍 CreteMon05.1000:18Crete: Severe Floods and Heavy Damage Hit the Lasithi Plateau
📍 Crete · DodecaneseSat03.1017:32Crete: Floods, damage and rescues amid severe weather and 112 alerts
📍 CreteSat03.1012:51Crete Severe Weather: Floods, Resurgences and 112 Alerts
📍 CreteSat26.0923:48Orange Rain Warning Issued for the Thessaly Region in Greece
📍 ThessalySat26.0923:47Orange Rain Warning Issued for Crete
📍 CreteSat26.0922:47Orange Rain Warning Issued for East Sterea and Evia
📍 Central Greece · EviaYellow, orange, red: the three warning levels
- YellowModerate: Potentially dangerous weather, but unlikely to be extreme. The forecast phenomena are not unusual, but be attentive if you plan activities exposed to the weather.
- OrangeSevere: Severe, dangerous weather. Unusual phenomena are forecast that may cause damage, accidents and casualties. ⬅️ this page
- RedExtreme: Extremely severe, very dangerous weather. Exceptionally intense phenomena are forecast, with major damage and accidents over a wide area, in many cases with a threat to life.
What to do during a rain and flood warning
With an orange warning, postpone hikes, boat trips and non-essential travel in the warning area, keep up with the forecast and follow the authorities' advice.
- Do not cross torrents or flooded roads, on foot or by car.
- Avoid basements and underground places, and move to higher, safe ground.
- If your car gets stuck in water, leave it: it may be swept away.
- Stay away from power lines.
- Limit travel as much as possible during the warning.
- After a flood: stay away from flooded areas. The water may be polluted, and the danger does not end when the water recedes.
Based on the Greek Civil Protection guidance: Floods
What it means for travellers and residents
⛴️ Ferries
In strong winds the Coast Guard and port authorities can issue a sailing ban (απαγορευτικό απόπλου) and ferries stay in port. Passenger ships usually sail up to about 8 Beaufort, and the final decision lies with the captain together with the local port authority. For example, on 3 October 2026 a sailing ban was imposed at Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrio in winds of up to 9 Beaufort: conventional ships sailed, but hydrofoils stayed in port. Before heading to the port, check with the ferry company or your travel agent. Also: Strike today?
✈️ Flights
Severe weather can cause flight delays and disruption, as happened in Crete on 2 October 2026. Check your flight status with the airline before leaving for the airport, and leave a buffer before your flight home.
🏫 Schools
In Greece, the decision to close schools because of the weather is taken by the regional governor (Περιφερειάρχης) or the mayor. According to the Education Ministry, when schools close, lessons continue online where possible. For example, the municipality of Chania closed its schools on 30 September 2026 ahead of the storm.
📱 112 alerts on your phone
When a dangerous event is expected, Civil Protection sends a 112 alert. It appears on your screen with a distinctive alarm sound (Cell Broadcast), and can also arrive as an SMS from sender 112. Alerts are free. Phones sold in Greece since December 2019 receive them automatically. If you get one, follow its instructions. In an emergency call 112.
📰 Example: Orange rain warning for Crete (September 2026) · Crete on red: floods and 112 alerts
Other warning types
Greece weather month by month → · Emergency numbers in Greece
Common questions
What is a severe rain warning in Greece?
It is a orange rain warning from Greece's meteorological service (EMY) and MeteoAlarm, with severity Severe. Severe, dangerous weather. Unusual phenomena are forecast that may cause damage, accidents and casualties.
What should I do during a severe rain warning?
With an orange warning, postpone hikes, boat trips and non-essential travel in the warning area, keep up with the forecast and follow the authorities' advice. Do not cross torrents or flooded roads, on foot or by car. Avoid basements and underground places, and move to higher, safe ground. If your car gets stuck in water, leave it: it may be swept away.
Should I cancel my trip because of a rain warning in Greece?
Not necessarily, but postpone hikes, boat trips and non-essential travel in the warning area, check ferries and flights with the companies, and follow the authorities' advice.
Do ferries and flights run during a rain warning?
Mostly yes, but delays and cancellations are possible. Sailing bans depend mainly on the wind: passenger ships usually sail up to about 8 Beaufort. Check with the ferry company and the airline before you go.
How do I know if there is a warning right now?
On the EMY website (emy.gr) and the MeteoAlarm map (meteoalarm.org). If the situation is dangerous, Civil Protection also sends a 112 alert to phones. On Yavanet we publish orange and red warnings in Hebrew.
Sources
- ΕΜΥ / HNMS – warnings
- MeteoAlarm – Greece
- Wikipedia – MeteoAlarm
- EMMA/MeteoAlarm – Hydro warnings in CAP (2022)
- MeteoAlarm awareness levels (docs)
- newsbeast.gr – ΕΜΥ έκτακτο δελτίο (30.9.2026)
- Civil Protection – floods
- Civil Protection – 112: when & how I'm notified
- Civil Protection – 112 FAQ (PDF)
- in.gr – sailing ban, Piraeus/Rafina/Lavrio (3.10.2026)
- lifo.gr – how many Beaufort ferries sail in
- in.gr – flight problems in Crete (2.10.2026)
- lifo.gr – schools closed for bad weather (31.3.2026)
- cretalive.gr – Chania schools (30.9.2026)
Information checked on 4 October 2026. A warning can be updated or lifted at any moment: the current status is always on the EMY website and the MeteoAlarm map.
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