Heavy rains have caused the Salso River in Sicily to flood in several areas of Licata, Agrigento. The flooding has prompted residents to evacuate their homes as a precaution.
Some people, unable to escape in time, climbed onto car roofs for safety. Firefighters are working to rescue those stranded. The Sicilian Civil Protection’s regional department has sent additional personnel from nearby provinces, as well as firefighter teams from Gela, to assist in the emergency.
In Ginostra, a small village, the situation is critical after the torrential rains brought down boulders and stones along with mud from the mountain. These have damaged homes, torn down fences, and severed electrical cables.
“We need urgent intervention as soon as the weather allows,” said local resident Gianluca Giuffrè. He warned that an eruption of the nearby volcano could now be disastrous given the current conditions. Roads in the area are blocked by water and mud, and many homes have been flooded, particularly on the Stromboli side.
Drought-stricken Sicily
Last night’s storms affected all of Sicily, bringing much-needed rain to the drought-stricken island. However, the rainfall, while heavy, was not enough to significantly alleviate the drought. Civil Protection officials continue to monitor key dams, including the Fanaco in Castronovo di Sicilia and the Ancipa in Enna, where rain levels were insufficient to meet water needs.
In some towns, particularly in the Enna and Nisseno areas, up to 150 millimetres of rain fell, causing roads to flood and mudslides to occur. The rain in Palermo and Trapani was less severe, resulting in only minor issues such as blown manhole covers and muddy roads.
Despite the much-needed rainfall, Sicilian authorities remain cautious, particularly in areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding. The agrometeorological service commented, “It’s a shame that very little rain reached the reservoir collection areas, but the unstable weather isn’t over, so we’re still hopeful.”
In other parts of Italy, bad weather continues to create problems. In Liguria, a landslide in the Casino ad Ellera area of Albisola Superiore isolated five homes, forcing the evacuation of nine residents. Firefighters are clearing debris and working to restore access to the isolated homes.
