17 May 2023 | 08:22 AM UTC
Italy: Disruptions due to flooding and severe weather ongoing in several regions as of May 17; further adverse weather forecast
Weather-related disrutpions ongoing across parts of Italy as of May 17. Further adverser weather forecast nationwide over the coming days.
Event
Disruptions due to flooding, landslides, and other weather phenomena are ongoing across parts of Italy as of May 17. 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 late May 16, authorities have reported at least two flood related fatalities and evacuated around 1,000 people from affected parts of the region, including the municpalities of Bologna, Cesana, Faenza, Ferrara, Forli, Ravenna, Riccione and Rimini. Emergency services have carried out hundreds of rescue operations to aid those caught in the floods. Many roads in the affected areas have been made impassable by floodwaters and landslides and train services are suspended on several lines between the affected cities. Power ourages have been reported in Cesana and other affected areas and schools remain closed across much of the affected region as of May 17.
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. The current weather system impacting the country is forecast to diminish May 18, with some scattered showers likely in parts of the country and localized heavier donwpours possible. A new system will enter the northwest of Italy May 19 and will bring further unstable weather across the country through at leat May 21.
As of May 17, the following weather warnings remain in affect across Italy:
Orange heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions.
Orange strong wind warnings: Emilia-Romagna, Sardinia, and Sicily regions.
Yellow heavy rainfall and thunderstorm warnings: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Lazio, Molise, Tuscany, and Umbria regions.
Yellow strong wind warnings: Basilicata, Camlabria, Campania, Liguria, and Veneto regions.
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.
