Reports from the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna indicate that approximately a thousand residents have been evacuated following torrential rains and severe flooding overnight. The affected areas include the provinces of Ravenna, Bologna, and Faenza, where rivers have overflowed, prompting local mayors to urge residents to either seek shelter on upper floors or vacate their homes.
As a result of the flooding, at least 800 individuals in the Ravenna area and nearly 200 in Bologna province sought refuge in shelters, schools, and sports centers. Train services have been suspended, and schools in the impacted regions have been closed. Residents have been advised to refrain from unnecessary travel and to work from home whenever possible.
The Faenza area, which was still in the process of recovering from devastating floods in May 2023 that claimed 17 lives and caused extensive damage amounting to billions of euros, found itself once again grappling with the destructive force of nature. Mayor Massimo Isola of Faenza recounted the tense situation, stating, 'The night was dramatic, we waited for the river flood to cross the city. It rose really close to the limit, but thanks to the works done over the past year, we managed to avoid an overflow in the center of the city.'
Furthermore, several Central and Eastern European nations, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania, have also been dealing with severe flooding in recent days. The death toll across the region has tragically surpassed 20 individuals, underscoring the widespread impact of the natural disasters.
