Italy – 1 Missing After Rivers Overflow in Piedmont

Several rivers have overflowed in the northwestern region of Piedmont, Italy, after 3 days of rain. Rainfall levels have exceeded those of November 1994 which caused devastating flooding and the deaths of 70 people.

Parts of Turin, the region’s capital, have recorded over 100 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, while other areas have seen over 200 mm.

Heavy rain has also affected parts of neighbouring Liguria, where one person was swept away by the overflowing Roia river.

Piedmont

The government of Piedmont has issued red (highest) level flood warnings for areas along the Po, Tanaro, Bormida, Pellice and Dora Riparia rivers. River levels are expected to remain high for the next few days.

ANSA, the Italian news agency, report that a man was missing after he fell into the Pellice river after a road gave way near Turin.

The Po River overflowed in a stretch between Cuneo and Turin, flooding the village of Cardè.

Parts of the city of Asti have been flooded after the Tanaro river broke its banks in several places. The Tanaro is also threatening to overflow in Masio and the Bormida rivers in the city of Alessandria.

Local media say that around 400 people have evacuated their homes. Italy’s Fire Service reports that it has carried out evacuations in several areas, including Bagnasco, Priola, and Volvera. It has also been assisting people in flood hit areas of Turin, including Pinerolo and Chivasso.

Premier Matteo Renzi said after a visit to the regional civil protection headquarters in Turin said the government will act “immediately” to address the flood emergency in Piedmont. “It is fundamental that in the coming hours the government moves immediately to help start assessing the damage and the aid the population needs”, he said.

Rivers

Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale (ARPA) in Piedmont, reports that river levels have risen dramatically over the last 24 hours.

Rainfall

24 hour period 24 to 25 November, according to WMO figures:

• Torino / Caselle 116.0 mm
• Torino Venaria 103.0 mm
• Torino / Bric Della Croce 88.0 mm

Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale (ARPA) in Piedmont reports that, during a 12 hour period on 24 November, Ponte di Nava recorded 202 mm of rain, Viù 183 mm and Barge 177 mm.

ARPA in Piedmont is comparing the recent rainfall with that of the November 1994 floods, where 44 people lost their lives and 2,000 were made homeless.

Liguria

Severe flooding has also hit the neighbouring Liguria region where officials have said they will also ask for a state of emergency to be declared.

Emergency services saved the lives of two people before their house was destroyed by a landslide in Rezzo, Imperia in the Liguria region.

Heavy rain has been affecting the region over the past few days causing floods. In Genoa, 89 mm of rain fell in 24 hours between 21 and 22 November.

In Ventimiglia, one person, believed to a homeless migrant, was swept away by flood water from the Roia river and was missing, presumed drowned, according to ANSA.

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