Torrential rains have struck Italy’s island of Sicily, bringing severe flooding as nearly an entire year’s worth of rain fell in just 12 hours. The intense downpours caused widespread damage, inundating roads and buildings and prompting rescue operations across the region. Although the flooding has been extensive, no casualties have been reported at this time.
Cars were seen floating in the rising floodwaters, particularly in coastal areas where the heaviest rainfall occurred. Emergency services have been scrambling to rescue people trapped in flooded buildings, but the relentless weather has so far made it difficult for crews to fully contain the situation.
In response to the disaster, authorities have issued an orange alert for the eastern part of Sicily, signaling a significant level of risk. The government is currently working to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the unprecedented rains.
