Italy – Days of Rain Cause Flooding in Sardinia

Two days of heavy rain has caused flooding and landslides in Sardinia, Italy. Around 100 people have been evacuated from their homes. In the last 48 hours some areas have recorded over 150 mm of rain – more than four times the average monthly total for May.

Floods in Nuoro Province, Sardinia, 02 May 2018. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco

Schools have been closed in several areas of the island due to the bad weather. Flooding and landslides have closed roads in the Municipality of Villacidro and near Cagliari.

Two families were evacuated as a precaution in Villacidro, South Sardinia Province. Around 100 people (20 families) have been evacuated in Torpé in Nuoro Province as a precaution due to rising levels of the Posada river.

Firefighters were called to over 60 interventions in Cagliari and surrounding areas. Emergency services also rescued farm workers who were stranded by flooding in Nuoro Province.

The Tirso river broke its banks in several places in Oristano province and the Flumini Mannu flooded fields in San Nicolò d’Arcidano, also in Oristano.

In Siniscola, Nuoro Province, as much as 164 mm of rain fell in 48 hours to early 03 May, which is considerably more than the May monthly average (36 mm) and already a good proportion of the typical annual rainfall (around 660 mm), according to ANSA.

A red level weather alert remains in place in Sardinia and Civil Protection have warned of further heavy rain, strong winds and thunderstorms in Sardinia and across the country, in particular Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia.

In Sicily, the Regional Civil Protection has issued a yellow warning for possible flooding and heavy rain.

Floods in Sardinia, 02 May 2018. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco

Social Media

https://twitter.com/3BMeteo/status/991933906118201344

Flood Summary

Last updated: May 10, 2018
Event
Sardinia, Italy, May 2018
Date
May 1, 2018
Type
Flash flood
Cause
Extreme rainfall

Locations

A - Villacidro
B - Cagliari
C - Torpé
D - Oristano
E - San Nicolò d'Arcidano
F - Siniscola

Magnitude

Rainfall level
94.4 mm in 24 hours
Siniscola - May 2 to May 2, 2018
All rainfall figures from Sardegna Ambiente
Rainfall level
86.2 mm in 24 hours
Gonnosfanadiga - May 2 to May 2, 2018
Rainfall level
76.8 mm in 24 hours
Tempio - May 2 to May 2, 2018
Rainfall level
68.4 mm in 24 hours
Vallermosa - May 2 to May 2, 2018
Rainfall level
72 mm in 24 hours
Siniscola - May 1 to May 1, 2018
Rainfall level
61.2 mm in 24 hours
Gonnosfanadiga - May 1 to May 1, 2018
Rainfall level
65.2 mm in 24 hours
Genna Silana - May 1 to May 1, 2018
River level
3.45 metres
Tirso River at Allai - May 2 to May 2, 2018
Figures from Sardegna Ambiente. Major flood stage is 3.78
River level
2.03 metres
Flumini Mannu di Pabillonis, Gonnosfanadiga - May 2 to May 2, 2018
Figures from Sardegna Ambiente. Major flood stage is 2.10

Damages

Evacuated
110 people
South Sardinia and Nuoro Provinces - May 1 to May 3, 2018