Italy's Emilia-Romagna region hit by new devastating floods

19/9/2024 16:51

        A storm system that has wreaked havoc across central Europe brought devastating floods to the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna on Thursday, forcing people to leave their homes and the closure of schools.
        
        About 1,000 people have been evacuated, acting regional president Irene Priolo told RAI public radio, saying however this was a much lower figure compared to major floods that plagued the region last year.
        
        In Lugo, a town of about 30,000 people west of Ravenna, authorities ordered the evacuation of all ground floor residences after the local Senio river broke its banks.
        
        The heavy rains swept into the Emilia-Romagna on Wednesday, forcing authorities to close schools and suspend some rail services.
        
        The rains were inundating the same area that was hit by two rounds of floods in May 2023, which killed 17 people and caused 8.5 billion euros ($9.5 billion) of damage, according to regional authorities.