Floods claim one life in Italy after heavy rains hit Liguria and Tuscany
Severe floods claimed one life in Italy after storms and heavy rains hit Liguria and Tuscany on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Railway services were disrupted, while schools and roads were closed after some regions saw around 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rain in just 18 hours.
Drone shot of flooding in Elsa region, Italy. Image credit: Vigili del Fuoco
Over 200 mm (7.9 inches) of rain fell on Liguria and Tuscany in just 18 hours on Wednesday, triggering severe floods and multiple landslides.
Emergency services responded to around 350 incidents across Liguria, Tuscany, and Emilia Romagna, including 150 interventions between Genova and Savona. Several roads were closed due to fallen trees and landslides, with transport services severely disrupted.
In Tuscany, a particularly intense storm dropped 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain in just one hour. The extreme conditions resulted in the death of one person, who was swept away by floodwaters in a forested area.
In Liguria, a Red alert was issued for the Entella and Magra rivers, warning residents of high flood risks. Several cities, including Genoa, Rapallo, Savona, and Chiavari, sustained significant damage from the floods, with floodwaters submerging bridges and turning streets into torrents. Rescue operations were conducted in the Elsa region, where dozens of people were saved by firefighters.
In Siena, railway tracks and the station were flooded, halting train services, while tram lines in Florence were damaged.
Flooding from the Bromida River caused further inundation in towns within the Savona province, leading to the suspension of train services between Loano and Pietra Ligure.
Schools in the affected regions were closed, and citizens were advised to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
References:
1 Heavy rainfall triggers deadly floods in Italy’s northern regions – AA – October 18, 2024
2 Landslides and floods, bad weather alert in Liguria – Ansa – October 16, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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