· · ·

Extreme rainfall, floods and devastation in NW Italy

italy-flood-liguria-piedmont-november-2016

After 3 days of exceptionally heavy rain, severe weather warnings have again been issued for northwestern Italy as more heavy rainstorms are expected to affect the region today and tomorrow. Liguria and Piedmont are at highest risk. Schools and other public institutions across northern Italy are closed. There are already reports of severe flooding, landslides and sinkholes.

Meteoalarm has issued red rain and thunderstorms warning for Liguria and Piedmont, and orange rain warning for Aosta Valley. The rest of northern Italy is under yellow alert for rain, wind, and thunderstorms.

Meteoalarm warnings for Italy, November 24, 2016

Meteoalarm warnings for Italy, November 24, 2016

Meteoalarm's red warning, the highest, means that exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Major damage and accidents are likely, in many cases with a threat to life.

Residents of affected regions are advised to keep frequently informed about detailed expected meteorological conditions and risks, follow orders and any advice given by authorities under all circumstances, and be prepared for extraordinary measures.

GFS 6-hour Averaged Precipitation Rate 24hr forecast valid 00:00 UTC on November 25, 2016

Numerical model prediction – GFS 6-hour Averaged Precipitation Rate (mm/hr) – forecast valid at 00:00 UTC on November 25, 2016. Credit: TropicalTidbits.com

Northwestern Italy was already under exceptionally heavy rain for the past three days, with many rivers exceeding warning thresholds.

On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, parts of Liguria saw between 300 and 600 mm (11.8 – 23.6 inches) of rain, with the most registered in Fiorino in Genoa.

The Tanaro, Pellice, Stura di Lanzo and Chisone rivers in Piedmont have all surpassed the warning threshold, while the Strona, Sesia, Elvo, Cervo and Orco rivers in the north of the region are currently below the danger level.

In Lombardy, flood warnings have been issued for Varese, Como, Lecco, Milan, Monza, Cremona, Lodi and Pavia.

In the province of Cuneo (Piedmont), several waves and torrential rain have caused River Tanaro to burst its banks today. The mayor of Garessio, near Cuneo, said that he fears the town is facing a repeat of the devastating floods it suffered in 1994.

"We are afraid," Mayor Sergio Di Steffano told ANSA via telephone. "The level of River Tanaro has risen above Garessio's central bridge, splitting the town in two. We have closed all the bridges, factories and schools. The bars and shops in the center are flooded. The State highway from Ceva is closed due to landslides. We are effectively isolated. There are no reports of people in incidents but the situation is bad".

A large sinkhole has opened in the center of Ormea, Cuneo, swallowing a car.

Featured image: Flood torrents in Garessio, Tanaro River. Credit: Bernd März (via Severe Weather Europe)

Share:

Commenting rules and guidelines

We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:

  • Treat others with kindness and respect.
  • Stay on topic and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way.
  • Do not use abusive or hateful language.
  • Do not spam or promote unrelated products or services.
  • Do not post any personal information or content that is illegal, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate.

We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *