Major flooding after rivers overflow in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Several days of heavy rain caused several major rivers, including Enza and Parma, to burst its banks on December 12, 2017, producing widespread flooding in Emilia-Romagna region of northeastern Italy.

A critical situation is underway in Emilia-Romagna today, after several days of heavy rain caused major flooding and forced authorities to issue evacuation orders for more than 1 000 people early Monday morning. Several people who were trapped were rescued, local media reports.

All the main rivers of the Parmenese, Enza, Taro and Parma, have exceeded level 3, the maximum. In addition, strong winds downed numerous trees and caused heavy infrastructural damage.

The Municipality of Modena is urging all residents to pay the utmost attention and to follow instructions from authorities. In particular, residents are asked not to drive unless absolutely necessary, be extra careful when traveling over bridges, underpasses, under embankments and not to use basements and underground shelters. 

Severe weather across the region has also heavily affected Liguria, southern Piedmont and Tuscany.

Although the worst of the weather seems to be over for now, bad weather affecting the region is expected to continue for at least the next 36 hours. Very high rainfall is expected today in the SW Emilia-Romagna with values above 70 mm (2.7 inches) and up to 200 mm (7.9 inches) in 24 hours.

The GFS model suggests heavy rain will move into NW Croatia, S Bosnia and Herzegovina, S Montenegro and NW Albania over the next couple of days.

Featured image: Enzo river flooding, Emilia-Romagna, Italy on December 12, 2017. Credit: Vigili del Fuoco