Storm Harry has caused severe flooding in southern Italy. This intense weather event, characterized by torrential rains and winds over 120 km/h, has led to floods, the evacuation of hundreds of families, and the suspension of school activities, although no fatalities have been reported. «There was both foresight and prevention, as it was a very significant phenomenon with a major impact on the territories that had been predicted by meteorological alert systems, which (...) allowed for preparation,» stated the head of the National Civil Protection Department, Fabio Ciciliano, in comments reported by local media. Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Matteo Salvini, announced on Wednesday that he has requested the declaration of a state of emergency for the three regions most affected by the bad weather: Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria. Sicily is one of the hardest-hit regions, with material damage estimated at up to 500 million euros, according to authorities. Numerous roads have been destroyed, and the railway network has been severely affected. In particular, the eastern part of the island and cities like Catania and Syracuse have suffered coastal flooding, causing significant damage to infrastructure and forcing the evacuation of dozens of people from sea-level homes. In addition to disruptions in educational and transport services, some localities have reported impacts on public services and logistics, while operations to restore normality continue as weather conditions permit. On the island of Sardinia, Civil Protection has recorded historic rainfall accumulations that have caused rivers to overflow in the province of Cagliari. Meanwhile, in the southern region of Calabria, more than 570 mm of rain fell in just over 48 hours, a volume of precipitation that Civil Protection described as a 'centennial event.' As a safety measure, numerous municipalities have closed public spaces, while local governments have reinforced restrictions due to the persistent risk. Although a slight improvement is expected on Thursday, Italian meteorological authorities have urged the public to stay informed about updated forecasts and follow Civil Protection recommendations to reduce risks associated with the bad weather. Additionally, rain is forecast for the weekend in Italy.
