19 May 2023 | 07:28 AM UTC
Italy: Disruptions due to flooding and severe weather ongoing in several regions as of early May 19; further adverse weather forecast /update 2
Weather-related disrutpions ongoing across parts of Italy as of early May 19. Further adverser weather forecast over the coming days.
Event
Disruptions due to flooding, landslides, and other weather phenomena are ongoing across parts of Italy as of early May 19. A weather system in the Mediterranean has brought heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms across many parts of the country in recent days and further adverse weather is forecast. Heavy downpours have caused rivers to reach dangerous levels and triggered widespread flooding in parts of northeastern Italy, with Emilia-Romagna Region the worst-affected. As of early May 19, reports indicate at least 13 flood-related fatalities in Emilia-Romagna Region, including six fatalities in Forli-Cesena Province. Several people are still missing. More than 4,000 emergency personnel are in place and have carried out more than 200 interventions since May 16, rescuing more than 600 people. The heavy rains are easing, but river levels are still rising. Emilia-Romagna Region is still recovering from flooding early May when two fatalities occurred.
Authorities in Emilia-Romagna Region have evacuated more than 10,000 people from affected parts of the region, including the municipalities of Bologna, Cesena, Faenza, Ferrara, Forli, Ravenna, Riccione, and Rimini, with the worst affected Ravenna City. Emergency services have conducted hundreds of rescue operations to aid those caught in the floods. Twenty-one rivers in Emilia-Romagna Region overflowed; the flooding has affected 41 towns and communities, with Bologna, Forli-Cesena, and Ravenna the worst affected. Authorities have registered around 280 landslides in 58 municipalities, including 120 severe landslides. Mountain villages on the Romagna side of the Mugello Valley had been cut off by the landslides. More than 200 roads in the affected areas have been made impassable by floodwaters and landslides, including parts of the A14, and at least one bridge connecting Motta-Budrio with San Martino, near the city of Bologna, has collapsed. Train services are suspended on several lines between the affected cities, including between Bologna, Borgo San Lorenzo, Faenza, Ferrara, Porretta, Ravenna, and Rimini. Civil Defense has stated that some power has been restored but around 27,000 people are without electricity, and 100,000 people are without a mobile phone network. Schools remain closed across much of the affected region. The Formula One Grand Prix in Imola was called off to relieve pressure on emergency services and prevent motor racing fans from converging on the inundated region.
Flooding and landslides have also been reported in parts of Abruzzo and Marche regions along the Adriatic coast. In Venice, authorities have activated the mobile barrier system designed to protect the city from flooding, the first time this has ever been done in May. Heavy rainfall and strong winds also caused flooding and downed trees in parts of Sicily May 15.
Further adverse weather is forecast across much of Italy in the coming days. A new system will enter the northwest of Italy May 19 and will bring further unstable weather across the country through at least May 21.
As of early May 19, the following weather warnings remain in effect across Italy:
Orange heavy rain warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Calabria, Piedmont, Sardinia, and Sicily regions
Orange thunderstorm warnings: Sicily Region
Orange strong wind warnings: Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, and Sicily regions
Yellow thunderstorm, heavy rain, and strong wind warnings: the rest of western and southeastern Italy
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rainfall has saturated the soil. Power outages could occur throughout the affected area.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. The disruptive weather may cause some delays and cancellations at airports in the worst-affected regions. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.
Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather-related updates and advisories. Confirm all transport reservations. Stay away from elevated streams, creeks, and other watercourses that are prone to flash flooding. Do not attempt to navigate flooded roadways. Exercise caution in elevated terrain due to the threat of landslides. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
