Italy – Deadly Flash Floods in Sicily

Floods in Sicily, Italy, on 04 November have left at least 12 people dead and 1 missing. Around 30 people have now died in severe weather across the country that began last week.

Sicily

Torrential rain from 03 November caused major flooding in Sicily. Italy’s Civil Protection authorities say that 10 fatalities occurred in Palermo Province and 2 in the Agrigento Province.

Nine of the victims were from 2 families who died when flood waters from the overflowing Milicia river rushed into a house on the border of the municipalities of Altavilla Milicia and Casteldaccia.

A man died when his vehicle was sept away by flood water from the overflowing San Leonardo river in Vicari, near Palermo. Another man is reported missing in the Raviotta district. Search operations are continuing.

Two people died when their car was overwhelmed by a flooded torrent near Cammarata in Agrigento Province. Around 50 families were evacuated after flooding near the city of Agrigento.

Death Toll Rises to 30 Across the Country

The flooding in Sicily follows days of severe weather across the country since last week. By 02 November, at least 18 people had lost their lives.

Many of the 18 casualties died as a result of strong winds and storm damage. Authorities said strong winds have destroyed around 14 million trees across the country, mainly in the north.

Three of the eighteen deaths were a result of flooding. On 31 October, ANSA news agency said that a woman was killed by flood waters at Dimaro in Trentino Province, Trentino-Alto Adige Region, and a man was found dead in a river near Belluno in the Veneto region. Belluno is one of the worst hit areas, suffering flooding, landslides and major wind damage.

On 01 November, a man died when he was dragged by the current from the overflowing Chiese river (also known as Clisi) in Brescia in the region of Lombardy, northern Italy.

The strong winds and high tide last combined to cause major flooding in Venice, with over three quarters of the historic centre inundated on 29 October, 2018. Local authorities said the high tide hit a maximum of 156 cm in the early afternoon – the fourth highest level ever recorded and the highest seen since 2008.

The city saw further flooding early on 05 November. Authorities said the high tide reached 107cm at 08.50.

Austria

Severe flooding has also been reported in the Lesachtal and Gail valleys in the state of Carinthia, Austria, close to the border with northern Italy.

Social Media

Major floods in Sciacca, Sicily right now! Report: Giancarlo Fauci / Notizie meteo Italia pic.twitter.com/2yebhymPdD

— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) November 2, 2018

Via Porta di Castro in Palermo, Sicily turned into a flood torrent under the torrential rainfall tonight, November 2/3. Video: F. Masaro / Associazone MeteoPalermo pic.twitter.com/WJgKr8fw9L

— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) November 4, 2018

https://twitter.com/AgateMeteo/status/1058282684273823745

Due giorni di sopralluoghi nelle zone maggiormente colpite dall'eccezionale maltempo, ieri in Trentino e Friuli Venezia Giulia, oggi in Veneto. "Il Servizio nazionale di #protezionecivile sta operando al suo meglio", ha detto Borrelli. pic.twitter.com/2v2YDds63M

— Dipartimento Protezione Civile (@DPCgov) November 3, 2018

#3nov #Belluno, ricognizione sulla diga #Comelico effettuata con i #droni dei #vigilidelfuoco, mentre proseguono gli interventi per il #maltempo su tutto il territorio provinciale colpito pic.twitter.com/voQxLwFOi7

— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) November 3, 2018

Migliaia di alberi abbattuti dal vento come bastoncini #Shangai. Questo in #Veneto e #TrentinoAltoAdige,
un disastro forestale oltre che frane, viabilità compromessa e danni da acqua e vento alle case. L’immagine è stata scattata da un nostro elicottero in ricognizione pic.twitter.com/xLmmt5l9AE

— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) November 1, 2018

Sopralluogo del ministro dell’Interno, accompagnato dal presidente Zaia e dal direttore dei #vigilidelfuoco Dattilo, nelle aree del bellunese colpite dal #maltempo #veneto pic.twitter.com/yWkxYvifC3

— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) November 4, 2018

Flooding after the breached Gaildamm (levee), Gailtal, south Austria. Report: @AwoeTeam pic.twitter.com/YVFyfsJ83L

— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) November 3, 2018

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