Streets turn into raging rivers as heavy rains hit Italy
Severe flooding hit Sicily and Tuscany on February 2 and 3, 2025, turning streets into raging rivers, forcing emergency rescues and overwhelming local services.
Car wrecked by the floods in Italy on February 2, 2025. Image credit: Vigil del Fuoco
Severe rainstorms swept across Sicily from the afternoon of Saturday, February 1, through Sunday, February 2, bringing two days of continuous rainfall that caused streams to overflow and turned streets into rivers, triggering widespread flooding in Zafferia, Messina.
Mud and debris surged through Zafferia, stranding residents in their homes as floodwaters inundated the streets. The flooding also impacted the local hospital’s emergency department and the city’s sports hall.
Falling trees and mudslides were reported throughout the region, causing further disruptions. The fire brigade conducted over 150 interventions across the province, with operations still ongoing. In Messina, the Municipal Operations Center was activated as floodwaters swept away cars.
Heavy rainfall also impacted Tuscany, flooding the provinces of Pisa and Lucca as well as the western part of Florence. In Cecina, police had to dive into floodwaters to rescue individuals trapped in their cars in a flooded underpass.
A landslide occurred in San Miniato, Pisa Province, burying part of a parking lot and damaging five cars. In Florence, a large pine tree fell on two parked cars in Piazza Savonarola.
Severe weather also impacted Catania where an Orange alert was issued for hail and heavy rainfall from Saturday through Sunday.
References:
1 Messina stream overflows banks, residents trapped in homes – ANSA -February 2, 2025
2 Floods in Sicily and overflowing torrent in Messina, in the Zafferia area residents blocked in their homes – Vi NEWS – February 2, 2025
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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