A severe storm front that has hit northern Italy’s Adriatic regions of Emilia Romagna and Marche since Tuesday has claimed three lives. The fatalities are three men. At least four other people are missing, the situation in the region is dramatic.
A 70-year-old man was found dead by firefighters after a river burst its banks in the village of Ronta di Cesena. His wife is missing. Another pensioner drowned in the town of Forli after water entered the ground floor of his home. His wife was saved. A man’s body was found on a beach near Cesenatico.
According to the mayor, Forli is partially under water, some people are missing. There were also floods in the cities of Cesena, Faenza, Senigallia, Riccione and Rimini.
People rescued by helicopters
In Faenza, people climbed onto the roofs of their houses to save themselves from the tidal waves. Some people have been taken to safety by helicopters. Power went out in several parts of the city and there were also problems with telephone connections. Significant problems also occurred in the city of Bologna. The municipality called on citizens to only take the car in urgent cases. Part of the A14 highway near the city of Pesaro is closed.
Rescue workers on duty, schools closed
More than 1,000 people had to be evacuated in the Ravenna and Faenza area because the rivers swelled dangerously. Parts of the city of Senigallia were flooded by the river Misa. The emergency room at the local hospital was evacuated.
In Pesaro, the fire brigade had to turn out repeatedly because of flooded streets. Many mayors, including those of the cities of Bologna, Faenza, Ravenna and Forlì, decided to keep schools closed on Wednesday as more storms were expected. The rain that ravaged all of Emilia Romagna, from the hills to the coast, paralyzed the Adriatic city of Riccione. Many vehicles were blocked by bodies of water in the underpasses.
No train connections, avoid driving
Rail links between Forli, Rimini and Ravenna came to a standstill. The railway network operator RFI has stopped a number of train connections. As a precaution against the high waves, the municipalities of Ravenna and Cervia have banned access to the beaches. Flooding and landslides occurred in the provinces of Pesaro and Urbino.
Residents of Emilia Romagna have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel and working from home. Within a few hours, the amount of precipitation had fallen as normal in months. In Trieste, the capital of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, wind gusts of 120 km/h were reported. Floods are expected in Venice.
More storms are coming
Tuscany was also hit by severe storms. Ferry connections between the port city of Piombino and Rio Marina on the island of Elba have been interrupted due to strong winds. According to meteorologists, ten more days of unstable weather are ahead. A Tunisian hurricane is expected to hit the central Adriatic Sea on Thursday, bringing severe storms again.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
