Flash flood with a powerful storm kills at least 2 people in Catania

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

The flooding triggered by a powerful storm has overwhelmed the Sicilian city of Catania, killing at least two people.

The fierce storms battered southern Italy for a third day on Tuesday, leaving roads completely submerged in parts of the island of Sicily.

The forecasters say eastern Sicily is being hit by a rare Mediterranean hurricane, known as a Medicane. Italy’s Department for Civil Protection issued its most severe weather warning for parts of Sicily and neighbouring Calabria on Tuesday.

The agency warned of potential risk to life and damage to property from heavy rain, thunderstorms and gale force winds in those areas.

The scientists say climate change caused by human activity is making extreme weather events more frequent and intense.

The mayor of Catania, Salvo Pogliese, said eastern parts of Sicily were experiencing exceptional weather events “unprecedented” in their intensity.

Citing the “seriousness of the situation”, the mayor ordered the closure of all businesses in Catania except essential services until midnight on Tuesday.

The mayor of Catania, Salvo Pogliese, said eastern parts of Sicily were experiencing exceptional weather events “unprecedented” in their intensity. It is citing the “seriousness of the situation”, the mayor ordered the closure of all businesses in Catania except essential services until midnight on Tuesday.

A blackout has left homes and businesses without electricity, while schools have been closed in the city and nearby towns.

The local newspaper said flooding forced the evacuation of some buildings belonging to Catania’s Garibaldi hospital.

Italian weather website iLMeteo said the storm was expected to gradually worsen throughout the week, bringing more heavy rains and flooding on Thursday and Friday.

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