A powerful storm hit the eastern provinces of Sicily. Heavy rainfall led to flooding and local flooding. In the past 24 hours, Italian services had to intervene more than 100 times. Drivers also experienced weather difficulties.
According to local media, the disaster hit Syracuse the hardest. In the Borgata district, 10 people, including children, were evacuated from flooded houses. Extreme rainfall also led to flooding in other parts of this province in Sicily.
Orange alert
In total, Italian services intervened over 100 times in the last 24 hours. The downpours led to paralysis on the roads, which turned into raging torrents.
The unstable front also affected Catania. The most difficult situation is, among others, in the towns of Torre Archirafi and Acireale and in Altarello. Rescue teams, including firefighters in amphibious vehicles, provide help in difficult conditions, in heavy rain. Volunteers from Civil Defense also participate in the action.
Driving on the street in difficult conditions. Recording
The video from the town of Acireale, captured from the windows of one of the buildings, shows two cars driving with difficulty up a narrow street with a swift stream of water flowing down it. The first one, a truck, passes very slowly. There is a passenger car behind him, which is also slowly trying to move in the same direction. At some point the car stops.
Cars have difficulty driving along the street where water flowsENEX
Flooded highway
Before dawn, a section of the Messina-Catania highway was flooded. Due to dangerous weather conditions in both Catania and the province of Syracuse, schools, kindergartens and public facilities were closed on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the eastern regions of Sicily will remain under a level two alert issued by the regional Civil Protection Inspectorate. Local authorities appealed to residents to be especially careful and limit their movement.
According to Italian meteorologists, heavy rainfall may occur in Sicily on Wednesday.
Main photo source: ENEX