Flooding in Liguria (northern Italy)

Severe weather was reported across northern and central areas of Italy on October 4.

Red Alerts (highest level) were issued for the regions of Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy. Staggering amounts of rain fell in northern Italy on 4 October 2021, causing floods and landslides in Liguria and Piedmont Regions.Liguria’s environment agency reported a record 496 mm of rainfall in just 6 hours in Cairo Montenotte (Savona) and over 740.6 mm in 12 hours in Rossiglione (Genoa). This is the national record of rain accumulations in 12 hours: the previous record was made in Genoa during the historical flooding on 8/9 October 1970 (717.8 mm). Furthermore figures from ARPAL show the station at Rossiglione recorded more than 900 mm of rain in 24 hours.

Several rivers broke their banks in the region. The Erro flooded areas of Pontinvrea; the Bormida river overflowed in Cairo Montenotte; and the Letimbro caused flooding in the city of Savona. Several roads including motorways were temporarily closed and some rail services suspended. A bridge was wiped out in Quiliano.Remarkably no injuries or fatalities were reported. Flooding also affected areas of Camporosso and other parts of the Province of Imperia.Schools and public places were closed in the city of Genoa. In the Piedmont Region, firefighters rescued 29 people from flooding caused by the overflowing Orba river in Ovada, Alessandria Province, late on 4 October 2021.