Sicily battles severe floods: Streets turn to raging rivers
Local media reported on Wednesday that Sicily is experiencing a serious flood situation after intense rainfall. In many areas, streets have transformed into raging rivers, carrying cars away. The fire department assists drivers and passengers stranded in their vehicles.
2:34 PM EST, November 13, 2024
The most challenging conditions are in the towns of Torre Archirafi and Acireale, as well as in Altarello, in the province of Catania. The disaster has also impacted Syracuse, necessitating the evacuation of residents from certain homes.
Firefighters in amphibians assist in the evacuation
Rescue teams, including firefighters in amphibious vehicles, are providing assistance in challenging conditions amid heavy rain. Civil Defense volunteers are also participating in the operation.
Before dawn, a section of the Messina-Catania highway was flooded.
Over 100 interventions
Extreme rainfall has also caused flooding in other parts of Sicily. Italian services have conducted more than 100 interventions in the last 24 hours. The downpours have resulted in paralyzed roads, which have turned into rushing streams.
The Regional Civil Protection Inspectorate has declared a second-level alert in effect for the eastern parts of Sicily. Local authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution and limit movement.
It is important to recall that Sicily has not yet recovered from the previous flood that hit the island just under a month ago. During that event, streets and city squares in Catania were also flooded, resulting in fatalities.
