Deadly flash floods and landslides in Italy following 250 mm (10 inches) of rain in 12 hours
Up to 250 mm (10 inches) of rain fell on parts of Italy in just 12 hours on October 22, 2019, leading to flash floods and landslides in Lombardy, Piedmont, and Liguria. At least 2 people have been killed.
According to the Italy fire department, Vigili del Fuoco, 900 operations were carried out across the north in response to the extreme weather. This included 226 in Milan province, 220 in Alessandria, 110 in Pavia, 110 in Lodi, and 110 in Genoa.
#Maltempo #22ottobre, 900 gli interventi dei #vigilidelfuoco: 226 nelle province di Milano, 220 Alessandria, 110 Pavia, 110 Lodi, 110 Genova. Smottamento su SS659, isolati Crodo, Premia, Formazza, Baceno (VB). Nella clip frane a Campo Ligure (GE), crollata una chiesa pic.twitter.com/zrp5xgZRDR
— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) October 22, 2019
Severe weather conditions also caused rail and road traffic disruptions across three regions. In Liguria and Piedmont, several schools had to cancel classes.
Among the worst-hit areas was the province of Alessandria. Piedmont Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) reported 253 mm (9.5 inches) of rain fell on Casaleggio Boiro, setting a new 12-hour record.
Bormida river in Alessandria jumped from 1.2 m (4 feet) on October 20 to 7.5 m (25 feet) on October 22, which exceeded the danger mark of 7 m (23 feet).
In Casal Cermelli, the Orba river reached around 6 m (19 feet), going above the danger mark of 4.5 m (15 feet).
130 people have been displaced from the Alessandria area, according to Italy's Department of Civil Protection.
According to reports, one man died after his vehicle got carried away by floodwaters in the Seravalle area of Alessandria. Another individual also died in a road accident due to the extreme weather in Turin.
In Campo Ligure, firefighters had to rescue a family after their home was partially destroyed. Around 114 mm (4.4 inches) of rain fell in the area on October 22 in just one hour.
Heavy rains from the previous day caused flooding in Milan and Genoa. Genoa received around 118 (4.6 inches) of rain on October 21 in six hours.
#Maltempo 19:00, a Rossiglione (GE) estratto dai #vigilidelfuoco un uomo sommerso dal fango. Proseguono le operazioni nella Valle Stura per alcune frane, 40 gli interventi finora nel genovese, più di 100 in provincia di Alessandria, 130 nel milanese pic.twitter.com/w4GwtXhRIX
— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) October 21, 2019
#Maltempo, sono più di 130 gli interventi dei #vigilidelfuoco da stamattina per allagamenti e soccorsi alle persone in difficoltà nella provincia di #Alessandria. In corso a #NoviLigure intervento per il prosciugamento di alcuni locali dell’ospedale e nei sottopassi ferroviari pic.twitter.com/E6FP5NwoCA
— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) October 21, 2019
Precipitazioni ultime 12 ore. Alessadrino: Casaleggio Boiro 253 mm, Gavi 226 mm, Bosio 181. Sabbia (VC) 171 mm, Trontano (VC) 109 mm e Montecrestese (VB) 116 mm. Livelli dei corsi d'acqua in generale diminuzione https://t.co/AKhShYlRMg #allertameteoPIE pic.twitter.com/CD6ebQavPn
— Arpa Piemonte (@ArpaPiemonte) October 22, 2019
La Bormida ad Alessandria oltre il livello di pericolo #allertameteoPIE pic.twitter.com/o95l4RjdIL
— Arpa Piemonte (@ArpaPiemonte) October 21, 2019
Featured image credit: Vigili del Fuoco
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