Southern Italy is grappling with the aftermath of severe weather
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Southern Italy is grappling with the aftermath of severe weather, as heavy rains and floods have triggered hundreds of emergency interventions by firefighters. The regions of Sicily and Calabria were particularly affected, facing significant damage and disruptions.
In Catania, a massive sinkhole opened along the seafront due to a powerful storm surge. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, in Palermo, an uninhabited building collapsed in the Ballarò district, causing road blockages and disruptions in the area.
Numerous trees were uprooted across the region, and a landslide impacted the provincial road in San Marino delle Scale. In Villagrazia di Carini, the Milioti stream overflowed, adding to the chaos.
A partially demolished building in Caltanissetta collapsed, crushing a parked car. Luckily, there were no occupants in the vehicle at the time. Flooding and related disruptions have been reported across all Sicilian provinces. In the Aeolian Islands, damage is estimated to be in the millions, with ports and infrastructure heavily affected.
Sardinia: Livestock Lost in Farm Collapse
In Sardinia, strong winds caused significant damage in the Lanusei countryside. A team of firefighters from the local station responded to structural damage at two barns, where metal roofing was torn off by the wind. Some livestock perished in the collapse, and efforts are ongoing to secure the remaining at-risk structures.
Authorities in Basilicata are closely monitoring river levels following heavy rainfall and recent snowmelt. The Civil Protection Agency, local reclamation consortiums, and volunteer associations are collaborating to manage the situation. In the Ionian region of Matera province, an orange weather alert is in place for geological risks, while a red alert has been issued for the Agri River and other downstream waterways of the Gannano Dam. As a precaution, the Basento Bridge in Torre Accio has been closed after the river exceeded safety levels, restricting traffic between Marconia and the Basentana highway.
The Aeolian Islands have suffered extensive damage, particularly to their port facilities. In Lipari, the commercial pier was severely damaged, while in Vulcano, ongoing construction at the new port sustained destruction. Similarly, in Filicudi and Stromboli, ferry docking infrastructure was torn away and carried into the sea. Heavy machinery was required in Lipari to clear debris and allow ferries to dock safely.
Calabria in the Eye of the Storm
Calabria also faced severe weather, with floods and landslides reported across the region. Despite the extensive damage, no major threats to public safety were reported. Firefighters conducted over 500 interventions, primarily responding to fallen trees, poles, and billboards. Wind speeds in some areas reached up to 100 kilometers per hour.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant as weather conditions continue to pose risks in the affected areas.
