After the severe flooding, the highest alert level is still in place in parts of Emilia-Romagna: rivers burst their banks again yesterday – more rainfall is now expected. There is also a risk of landslides.
The northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna has not come to rest after the sometimes dramatic floods. Floods and landslides continue to cause problems in the affected areas. There is no all-clear, in some areas the highest red alert still applies, as the Italian civil defense announced late Friday evening. More precipitation is expected over the weekend.
Around 15,000 people had to leave their apartments and houses, the Ansa news agency reported. A rescue helicopter crashed in the municipality of Lugo, the four occupants are said to have been injured. On Friday, the 14th fatality was found as a result of the storm – according to the media, a man who was rescued from the mud in front of his house.
No relaxation in Ravenna
Concern is now great about the expected new rain. The situation worsened again on Friday, especially in the provinces around the city of Ravenna. It rained again, rivers burst their banks again. Landslides in particular are currently proving to be a great danger. Several communities also struggled with food and drinking water supply problems.
Meanwhile, in some areas, the water is slowly retreating. Hundreds of rescue workers and volunteers are working to clear the mud from the streets.
More than 3000 firefighting operations
On Tuesday and Wednesday, as much rain fell in the region as usual in half a year. The water flooded fields, streets and houses at breakneck speed. The rescue workers worked around the clock to bring people trapped by the water masses to safety. According to regional politicians, the damage is in the billions.
Since the beginning of the violent storm, the Italian fire brigade has been deployed to more than 3,000 missions involving around 1,000 firefighters. Most of the missions were therefore in the areas around Bologna, Ravenna and Forlì-Cesena.
Italy’s government under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is planning a cabinet meeting on Tuesday to decide on aid measures for the affected areas. From Japan, where Meloni is taking part in the G7 summit, she pledged her “fullest solidarity”. She also announced that she would be leaving earlier than planned because of the storm and would be back in Italy on Sunday.