Severe Storms Continue to Batter Southern Italy, With Sicily Under Sustained Pressure
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Southern Italy is continuing to be battered by a powerful winter storm system, with Sicily facing the most severe and prolonged impact. The island remains under a red weather alert, the highest level issued by Italian authorities, as heavy rain, strong winds and dangerous sea conditions persist.
Emergency measures remain in place across large parts of Sicily, including widespread school closures and public safety warnings. Authorities say the situation is evolving and remains potentially dangerous, particularly in areas already saturated by rainfall.
Sicily remains at the centre of the emergency
Sicily has been repeatedly hit by waves of severe weather, leaving local governments on high alert. Around 150 municipalities have kept schools closed, including major cities such as Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Ragusa and Agrigento, as conditions have failed to improve.
A scaletta Zanclea in Sicilia le onde del mare stasera hanno raggiunto il centro abitato sarà una dura notte . pic.twitter.com/h76pADAu8J
Persistent rainfall has caused localised flooding, especially in low-lying zones and along rivers. In eastern Sicily, rising water levels have led to limited evacuations of residents living near riverbanks. Emergency services are monitoring drainage systems and responding to calls for assistance as conditions worsen.
Coastal areas continue to face very rough seas and powerful winds, with waves damaging waterfront infrastructure and forcing authorities to close access to beaches, ports and exposed coastal roads. Residents have been urged to remain indoors and avoid travel unless strictly necessary.
Sicily’s civil protection authorities are maintaining full emergency operations, coordinating closely with mayors, firefighters and volunteer groups. Crisis centres remain active, river levels are being monitored around the clock, and public alerts are being updated as the storm system moves slowly across the region.
Elsewhere in southern Italy, including Sardinia and parts of the mainland, severe weather is also causing disruption, though Sicily remains the area under the greatest strain. Forecasters expect conditions to ease gradually, but officials warn that risks will remain until rainfall and winds fully subside.
For Sicily, the continued battering highlights the cumulative impact of extreme weather events and the pressure they place on local communities and emergency services already stretched by repeated storms.
