Italy – Deadly Floods in Livorno After 250mm of Rain in 2 Hours

Update, 13 September, 2017:

ARPAT (Agenzia regionale per la protezione ambientale della Toscana) the Tuscany region’s environmental agency, has reported that leakages from the ENI oil refinery in Livorno have spilled into nearby water bodies after the floods of 10 September.

Original report, 11 September 2017:

At least six people have been killed and two are missing after heavy rainstorms and flooding in the city of Livorno, Tuscany, Italy, on 10 September, 2017. The storm dumped over twice the monthly rainfall in just 2 hours.

The rain started to fall during late on Saturday but was at its most intense during the early hours of Sunday. Mayor of Livorno, Filippo Nogarin, said via Social Media that the situation was unprecedented in Livorno.

The mayor added that as much as 250 mm of rain fell in two hours between 02:00 and 04:00, as rivers and streams burst their banks causing widespread flooding in the city. Landslides have also been reported in the area.

By the evening, the local fire department had received over 200 requests for assistance. Flooding was also reported in nearby Collesalvetti. A team from Italy’s National Civil Protection has been deployed to the areas.

Roads were inundated and images on social media showed cars strewn around streets and piled on top of each other. Train services were interrupted after the station was under water. Flooding also caused damage to infrastructure including gas and water supplies. Four people have been forced from their homes and are staying in temporary accommodation.

The mayor said that authorities will formalize a request of a State of Emergency for the municipalities of Livorno and Collesalvetti for damage caused by the severe weather.

Severe weather warnings have been issued for much of the country, including the capital Rome, where 100 mm of rain fell in 24 hours between 09 and 10 September, according to WMO figures. Parts of Switzerland and Slovenia also recorded heavy rainfall.

Drought

The torrential rain comes after a period of drought in Italy. Local media reported last week that sources of the River Po on the Monviso mountain had dried up due to the drought. As a result there was no water flowing next to the famous sculpted rock at 2,020 metres above sea level that reads “Here begins the Po”, according to ANSA.

Rainfall

WMO figures for 24 hour period to 10 September

• Grazzanise – 56 mm
• Pratica di Mare – 116.6 mm
• Roma Fiumicino – 100 mm
• Vigna di Valle – 66 mm
• Pisa/s. Giusto – 152 mm
• Firenze/Peretola – 66 mm
• Milano/Linate – 56 mm

Social Media

#livorno ferita dal nubifragio di queste ore. Ora riunione con prefettura e protezione civile X fare il punto della situazione pic.twitter.com/flOWcDH3P7

— Filippo Nogarin (@nogarin) September 10, 2017

#Livorno #maltempo, ricognizione aerea elicottero #dragovf sull'area colpita dal nubifragio pic.twitter.com/8B2vsJX0eM

— Vigili del Fuoco (@emergenzavvf) September 10, 2017

Clean-up operation underway in Livorno after flood kills six https://t.co/VdfudteOiA pic.twitter.com/3cfWs1Fm3i

— Ruptly (@Ruptly) September 10, 2017

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