Italy – Flash Floods and Landslides After 250mm of Rain in 12 Hours

by in Europe, News

Heavy rain in northern Italy has caused floods and landslides in the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont and Liguria.

Heavy rain triggered landslides in northern Italy, 20 to 22 October 2019. Photo: Vigili del Fuoco

Italy’s fire department, Vigili del Fuoco, said they carried out 900 operations across the north in response to the severe weather, including 226 in the province of Milan, 220 in Alessandria, 110 in Pavia, 110 in Lodi and 110 in Genoa.

Rail and road traffic has been severely disrupted across the 3 regions. Many schools are also closed in Liguria and Piedmont.

The province of Alessandria in Piedmont is among the worst hit areas. Piedmont Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA) reported that on 22 October, 2019 as much as 253mm of rain fell in 12 hours in Casaleggio Boiro.

The Bormida river in Alessandria jumped from 1.2 metres on 20 October to around 7.5 metres on 22 October, above the danger mark of 7 metres. The Orba river in Casal Cermelli has also exceeded the danger mark 4.5m, reaching 5.78 metres on 22 October.

Italy’s Department of Civil Protection said that around 130 people have been evacuated in the Alessandria area.

News agency ANSA reported that one man has died after his vehicle was swept away by flood waters in the Serravalle area of Alessandria. Another man died in Turin after a road accident blamed on the severe weather.

A family had to be rescued by firefighters after a landslide partially destroyed their house in Campo Ligure. ARPA Liguria said 114mm of rain fell in just 1 hour in Campo Ligure on 22 October.

Rain the previous day caused some urban flooding in Milan and Genoa. ARPA Liguria said that 117.8mm of rain fell in Genova Pegli (Genoa) in 6 hours on 21 October.

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