A strong storm system in the Mediterranean, referred to as a ‘medicane’ (MedIterranean hurricane) has caused severe flooding in Algeria, Tunisia and southern Italy. At least 5 people have lost their lives and 2 more are still missing.
Algeria
Civil Protection in Algeria reported heavy rain and stormy weather across the country from early 23 October 2021. The worst affected provinces (wilayas) include Algiers, Boumerdes, Chlef and Tizi Ouzou, among others. Civil Protection teams rescued dozens of people and helped clear flood water from over 138 homes, 6 of which partially collapsed.
One person died after a vehicle was swept away by flood water in Baba Hassen commune in Algiers Province. A second victim is still missing. Some areas of Algiers city recorded more than 140 mm in 24 hours to 24 October.

Tunisia
Floods also affected several regions of neighbouring Tunisia overnight from 23 to 24 October 2021. Two people died in Thala, Kasserine Governorate, after a car was washed away. A third victim died in similar circumstances in Borj Chakir, a locality near the city of Tunis. Civil Protection teams rescued several people from flood waters in Manouba and Béja governorates. Severe flooding was also reported in Bizerte Governorate.
Tunisia’s National Institute of Meteorology (INM) reported 166 mm of rain in Ras Jebel, Bizerte Governorate, and 136 mm in Sidi Thabet, Ariana governorate.
Italy
Italy’s fire service Vigili del Fuoco reported that, as a result of the severe weather fire fighters carried out more than 400 interventions in Sicily Region, mostly in areas around Catania and Syracuse, and 180 interventions in Calabria, in particular in areas around Vibo Valentia.
Two elderly people were missing after being swept away by floods in Scordia comune in the Metropolitan City of Catania in Sicily region. The body of one victim has since been found while search operations including helicopters are continuing. Four people were rescued from floods in Trapani.
Sicily Regions meteorological agency Servizio Informativo Agrometeorologico Siciliano reported 312.2 mm of rain fell in 24 hours to 25 October at a weather station at Linguaglossa, while the station as Lentini recorded 279.8 mm during the same period.
Rainfall Sicily, Italy to 25 October 2021. Image: Servizio Informativo Agrometeorologico Siciliano
Social Media
☑️ دعوة للمواطنين بتحلي بأقصى درجات الحذر إثر الأمطار الطوفانية التي تشهدها عدة مناطق في الجزائر اليوم..
☑️ الإبتعاد عن الأودية…
☑️ تجنب السير بسيارات في المناطق المعرضة للفيضانات المفاجئة..
الإلتزام بتحذيرات @DGPC_CNI و مصالح الأرصاد الجوية. pic.twitter.com/i9Otnqdx0M— Algerian Red Crescent الهلال الأحمر الجزائري (@AlgerianRed) October 23, 2021
🇹🇳 Des pluies torrentielles provoquent d’importantes inondations ce week-end à #Bizerte , en #Tunisie #Tunisie #tempête #inondations pic.twitter.com/mQDLfPZk1f
— Jean-louis David (@timbaland57) October 25, 2021
Sto seguendo con apprensione le notizie che giungono dal territorio del calatino nuovamente colpito da una eccezionale ondata di maltempo che ha colpito in particolare #Scordia, #Palagonia e #MilitelloValDiCatania.
Invito tutti ad attenersi alle indicazioni dei propri sindaci pic.twitter.com/MoH6h1v7Lx
— Gianluca Rizzo (@gianlucarizzo46) October 24, 2021
#Maltempo #Catania, coppia di anziani dispersi a Scordia: individuato il corpo senza vita dell’uomo, proseguono da parte dei #vigilidelfuoco le ricerche della donna. Nella clip l’elicottero AW 139 in ricognizione aerea lungo il fiume che costeggia la SP 28 [#25ottobre 11:00] pic.twitter.com/PK3JSUjgwu
— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) October 25, 2021