UPDATED: Hundreds Evacuated, Schools Closed Across Sicily as Civil Protection Activates Crisis Measures

Sicily’s regional Civil Protection authority has urged mayors to issue evacuation orders across several high-risk areas, leading to the displacement of around 190 people as severe weather conditions intensify.

In Giampilieri Marina, near Messina, 32 residents were evacuated from the Villa Aurora residential care facility, which is located along the seafront. In the eastern city of Acireale, in the province of Catania, the mayor ordered the evacuation of 95 residents from the coastal districts of Capo Mulini and Santa Maria La Scala.

Further evacuations were reported in Riposto, also in the Catania area, where three people were moved from homes in coastal zones. In Pachino, in the province of Siracusa, municipal authorities ordered the clearance of homes in Marzamemi, affecting about 40 people, while an additional 30 residents left voluntarily from the Granelli area.

To ensure centralized oversight, the Department of Civil Protection has activated an advanced operations centre in San Giovanni La Punta, near Catania. The centre is being led by the department’s director general, Salvo Cocina, and is responsible for coordinating response efforts and maintaining continuous links with prefectures, municipalities, the fire brigade, emergency medical services, road and rail operators, the national electricity provider, and other operational bodies. Sicily’s regional president, Renato Schifani, is monitoring developments in close coordination with the department’s leadership.

Around 200 municipalities across Sicily have activated their local operations centres to coordinate emergency services, strengthen preventive measures, and closely monitor areas exposed to hydrogeological risk. The objective, officials said, is to detect potential flooding at an early stage and implement mitigation measures where necessary.

Approximately 150 mayors have also ordered the closure of schools. More than 6,000 personnel are currently involved in managing weather-related risks, including about 200 staff from the regional Civil Protection Department, roughly 1,000 volunteers, and some 5,000 personnel from municipal services, the fire brigade, forestry units, and other regional and national agencies.

The regional Civil Protection authority has reiterated its appeal to the public to exercise the highest level of caution, to comply fully with official orders and guidance from local authorities, and to respect restrictions on movement and parking in designated high-risk areas. Officials warned that these zones are expected to be affected by more severe weather phenomena in the coming day.