Severe storms lash Liguria, italy: Orange Alert Issued as rainfall and Wind Cause Widespread Damage
A powerful weather system brought torrential rainfall, damaging winds, and even a possible downburst to the Liguria region of Italy on Saturday, November 15th, triggering widespread flooding, infrastructure damage, and a search-and-rescue operation for missing hikers. Authorities have issued an orange alert – the highest level of warning – for thunderstorms in Liguria and a yellow alert for surrounding regions.
The storm, which originated over the sea, unleashed intense precipitation, especially in the Genoa area. Rainfall totals included 2 centimeters in 5 minutes in Sciarborasca, 7.5 centimeters in one hour in Madonna delle Grazie near Voltri, and a staggering 23.6 centimeters in 6 hours in Settepani.This deluge led to the overflowing of the Fegino river,the inundation of streets,squares,and underpasses – monitored by municipal police and civil protection teams – and the bursting of saturated manholes.
The area west of Genoa, between Voltri and Sampierdarena, bore the brunt of the storm’s fury. Not only did the heavy rain cause meaningful damage, but a downburst – a violent localized weather phenomenon characterized by rapidly descending air – wreaked havoc. According to reports, the downburst overturned trash cans, flipped vans, uprooted trees, and swept away shipping containers from the ‘Nuovo borgo Terminal,’ scattering them across a nearby area.
In Pegli, the abundant rainfall infiltrated a retaining wall of a private garden, causing it to collapse onto the road below and damaging parked vehicles. fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the road remains closed while crews remove the debris. Further west in the Imperia province,persistent rain,hail,and strong winds combined to cause widespread flooding.A large eucalyptus tree fell onto a medium-voltage power line in Dolceacqua, resulting in a blackout affecting numerous homes.
as the storm moved eastward in the early afternoon, conditions began to improve in Genoa. However, concern mounted later in the evening when three members of a group of five hikers went missing in the Piani di Praglia, a mountainous area near genoa. A fire department team was dispatched to locate them after they ceased interaction and with the anticipation of further deteriorating weather. The three hikers reportedly returned home with entirely discharged cell phones.
Forecasters at Arpal, the regional meteorological service, have already announced an orange alert for tomorrow, Sunday, November 16th, representing the highest level of alert for thunderstorms. “Today, there was a lot of precipitable water, especially in the first two thousand meters of the atmosphere. Tomorrow that water reaches 5 thousand meters,” a senior official stated.
A “decisive worsening” of weather conditions is expected across northern Italy and Tuscany, with widespread and locally intense rainfall. The Department of Civil Protection, in coordination with affected regions, issued an adverse weather warning effective from Saturday afternoon, November 15th, encompassing Liguria and Tuscany, extending to Emilia-Romagna, and from Sunday afternoon, november 16th, to Veneto. these conditions will be accompanied by heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and strong gusts of wind.
Based on current forecasts, an orange alert for thunderstorm risk has been issued for Liguria for Sunday, November 16th, along with an orange alert for hydraulic and hydrogeological risk in sectors of Emilia-Romagna. A yellow alert remains in effect for Liguria, as well as parts of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Tuscany.
A separate report from ANSA news agency indicates that colder weather is expected to arrive in Italy next week following the weekend’s rainfall.
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