One Dead After Heavy Rain Causes Floods and Landslides in Italy

by in Europe, News

Heavy rainfall has been affecting parts of central and southern Italy over the last few days.

One man was killed after heavy rain caused a landslide in Olmitello-Maronti on the island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples.

Italian news agency ANSA report that floods and heavy rain have caused damage to property in Belforte del Chienti, in the Marche region. Also in the region, levels of the rivers Misa and Foglia are said to be dangerously high. Several landslides have also been reported by ANSA in the Emilia-Romagna region. Meteo Italy say that 80 to 100 mm of rain has fallen in 36 hours in parts of the Abruzzo region, causing the Pescara river to overflow.

Further severe weather, including heavy rainfall, is expected over the next 24 hours or more.

Several other areas of southern Europe are also seeing heavy rain and thunderstorms. As of early 26 February 2015, severe weather and flood alerts were in effect for areas of south west France, western and central Greece, central and south west Italy, including Sardinia and Sicily. Between 25 and 26 February, 53 mm of rain fell in Enna, Sicily, in 24 hours, according to WMO.

Sever weather warnings in Italy, 26 February 2015. Image: meteoalarm.eu
Sever weather warnings in Italy, 26 February 2015. Image: meteoalarm.eu