Two people, said to be an elderly couple, have died after torrential rain caused floods and landslides in northern Italy on Tuesday 11 November 2014. In a separate incident, a man was killed by a landslide outside his home in Crevacuore, Piedmont earlier today.
The couple died in a landslide near their house in Leivi in the province of Genoa, in the Liguria region of Italy. This is the third time in just a few weeks that Genoa has been struck by severe weather and floods. One man was killed also in Genoa in October after he was swept away by flood water. In 2011 heavy rains and flooding in Genoa killed 6 people.
The Liguria region has seen heavy rainfall over the last 3 days. As much as 75mm or rain fell in Val Petronio, province of Genoa, in just 3 hours during the early morning of 11 November 2014. The towns of Lavagna, Leivi, San Colombano and Chiavari have been some of the worst hit.
Parts of Tuscany have also been flooded. Rivers have overflowed, and roads and railway lines flooded throughout the two regions. Emergency services have been required to carry out evacuations and rescue people trapped in mudslides. Military personnel have been called in to help clear flood debris.
Piedmont was also on alert on Tuesday after Lake d’Orta overflowed and there was concern in Emilia-Romagna region where levels of the river Taro reached flood stage.
Poor Grape Harvest
La Stampa newspaper has reported that the spate of severe weather has resulted in a poor year for Italian wine. In the north, the grape harvest fell by as much as 20 percent. Production is expected to fall 17 percent compared with 2013, potentially making it the worst year since 1950.
Severe weather Expected to Continue
The heavy rain has continued and 130 mm of rain fell in the last 24 hours in Genoa. Thunderstorms and heavy rain are expected across much of Italy today.
Authorities in Liguria have extended flood and landslide warnings until later today (Wednesday 12 November 2014).
