Mediterranean cyclone Harry storms caused extensive damage across southern Italy, with Sicily alone suffering more than €1 billion in economic losses, ANSA and regional sources report.
Regional officials reported that damage to infrastructure, roads, hotels, bars, business premises and other assets in Sicily reached €741.5 million in direct costs. Including lost income for farms, fishers and other local businesses, the total exceeds €1 billion.
Widespread impact across three regions
Harry battered Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria with violent winds, torrential rain and storm surges for several days. Waves up to nine and a half metres high struck the Calabrian coast, equivalent to a four-storey building of water hitting shoreline communities.
The storms destroyed waterfronts, beach establishments and promenades. Coastal homes and commercial properties were flooded, and walls collapsed under pressure from wind and water.
In Sardinia, officials estimate hundreds of millions of euros in damage, prompting the regional government to declare a state of emergency.
Calabria, too, faced major disruption, with storm damage affecting transport links and prompting evacuations in flood-prone areas.
Emergency Response to cyclone Harry storms damage
In Sicily, Governor Renato Schifani’s executive approved a motion to declare a regional state of crisis and allocated an initial €70 million to begin recovery work. Fifty million euros are ready for immediate deployment.
Officials are preparing to request national recognition of the state of emergency to unlock further support and, potentially, a special commissioner for reconstruction. Political leaders in Rome will review that request.
The national Civil Protection Department said early warning systems and coordinated alerts helped ensure there were no confirmed deaths, despite the severity of the storms.
