Flash Floods Hit The Italian Riviera.

Weylin

October 26, 2011 – ITALY – At least nine people have been killed and five others are missing after flash floods hit the Italian Riviera turning roads into rivers and washing cars out to sea. The initial death toll was raised as the body of a missing rescue worker was recovered from Monterosso. Officials said Sandro Usai, 40, had drowned after being engulfed by flood waters as he tried to unblock drains in the town. The huge downpour had triggered off landslides along some of Italy’s most picturesque coastline, including the Cinque Terre which is a popular destination for British holidaymakers. Fire crews and civil protection teams worked their way through the flood ravaged towns of Vernazza and Monterosso where cars were washed into the sea and roads turned into rivers. Distraught mayor Angelo Betta said: ”Monterosso does not exist anymore. “We have lost electricty, gas, telephone lines and we have people missing. Everything is flooded. We need help quickly. It is just a sea of mud everywhere.” Elsewhere dramatic TV footage from along the coast showed traditional wooden boats reduced to matchsticks as they were thrown by the force of the waves onto the rugged rocks along the shore. Officials said that within a 24-hour period, 500mm of rain had fallen and this had led to houses collapsing and roads and train lines subsiding. The main railway line linking Rome with the north of Italy was blocked by a landslide north of La Spezia which meant all trains to Genoa were terminating there and there was further chaos for passengers as roads were blocked. Only fire engines and emergency vehicles were being allowed through into the minor roads in the mountains that link the worst hit villages for fear of further lethal landslides. Officials said that helicopters were being brought in to help with the rescue effort and an air bridge would be set up to send in supplies with the army put on standby. –Sky News
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http://youtu.be/RjpXi2C6BzA
Flash Flooding Italian Riviera.

patneve2

Was reading on italian forums that 200-250mm of rain fell on a large scale in areas of Liguria and Tuscany, and that 500mm of rain were reported in some towns...no joke...:eek:

Let's not forget that Liguria holds Italy's largest 24 hr total, a mind boggling 900mm (October 1970) :O ...seriously

4Sheets

patneve2 wrote: »

Was reading on italian forums that 200-250mm of rain fell on a large scale in areas of Liguria and Tuscany, and that 500mm of rain were reported in some towns...no joke...:eek:

Let's not forget that Liguria holds Italy's largest 24 hr total, a mind boggling 900mm (October 1970) :O ...seriously

is that Europes record as well? 900mm in 24 hours..hard to believe that could be surpassed //obviously those hills in the North of Italy have alot to answer for.

dsmythy

patneve2 wrote: »

Was reading on italian forums that 200-250mm of rain fell on a large scale in areas of Liguria and Tuscany, and that 500mm of rain were reported in some towns...no joke...:eek:

Let's not forget that Liguria holds Italy's largest 24 hr total, a mind boggling 900mm (October 1970) :O ...seriously

36 inches of rain. Imagine it :eek:

patneve2

Yes, geographically Liguria is characterized by a very sharp descent from mountains to sea. Couple this to the fact that the Mediterranean is a warm sea, add in some cold/warm air contrasts and you have the recipe for disaster :eek:

patneve2

4Sheets wrote: »

is that Europes record as well? 900mm in 24 hours..hard to believe that could be surpassed //obviously those hills in the North of Italy have alot to answer for.

I'll try and answer your question tomorrow...