Parts of Italy and France have been hit by floods in recent days. Heavy rain is falling in some Italian regions, and a red or orange warning is in effect until Tuesday.
The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna was the hardest hit. In Bologna, for example, 160 millimeters of rain fell in just one day, 80 millimeters in just four hours. Many rivers overflowed their banks due to heavy downpours.
In the town of Pianoro near Bologna, a torrent swept away a car with two brothers in it, one managed to save himself and the other died. Parts of the city were inaccessible due to the storm, and evacuations were ordered. The situation is critical, announced the mayor of Pianora, Luca Vecchiettini. Due to the danger, several houses in Budrio, Molinella and Bagnacavallo were also evacuated.
Many roads were flooded in Bologna, and power outages were also reported from the city.
Mayor Matteo Lepore urged residents to stay at home and move to higher floors if they live near the storm.
In the wider area of Bologna, firefighters performed more than 300 interventions.
The Reno, Enza and Secchia rivers and their tributaries overflowed their banks, and authorities warned that landslides could be triggered in hilly and mountainous areas. Many roads in the Bologna area were completely or partially closed today.
Rail traffic was also partially suspended. Schools will remain closed on Monday.
Flooding after heavy rainfall is also reported from Sicily, which has been affected by a severe drought in recent months. It flooded, among others, parts of Catania and Agrigento. Rescue services rescued people from the roofs of houses and cars after the sudden rise in water levels.
Meteorologists predict rain until Tuesday, so 13 out of 20 Italian regions have issued a red or orange weather warning.
Heavy downpours also caused problems in parts of France, the worst being in Limony en Ardèche, which lies on the banks of the Rhone.
More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the area on Friday and are now slowly returning to their homes and starting to repair the damage. According to Prime Minister Michel Barnier, firefighters intervened in more than 2,300 interventions. According to data from the French Meteorological Agency, as much as 685.8 millimeters of rain fell in certain areas in the departments of Ardeche and Lozere in 48 hours.