Cleanup begins after devastating floods in Italy

Posted by Jordyn Johnson on 22 May 2023

Cleanup has begun after devastating floods wreaked havoc up to 100 towns and cities in Italy, claiming the lives of 14 people and leaving over 36 000 homeless.

READ: Italy ravaged by devastating floods: Death toll rises to 9

floods italy

Six months’ worth of rain poured down within 36 hours over one of Italy’s most lucrative agricultural regions, Emilia-Romagna over the weekend. Further, a helicopter, working to restore electricity to homes, crashed on Saturday, injuring one person of the four on board.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni left Japan’s G7 summit early, saying that ‘Frankly, I cannot remain so far from Italy in such a complex moment.’

According to SkyNews, by the time she arrived in Italy ‘the rain had stopped and rescue teams and volunteers had swept in, trying to pump water out of buildings and clear away mud on the streets before it was baked on by the sun.’

Most victims left without a home are currently being hosted by family or friends. Others are living in temporary shelters and hotels.

Rescuers and volunteers, ‘many of them young people who travelled from across Italy’ reported The Guardian, are currently cleaning debris and mud from the streets, as well as providing food and clothing to those in isolated areas and shelters.

floods italy

Flood in Emilia Romagna May 2023

The coastlines have also been affected, with debris washing up on some beaches. Beach club owners are rushing to restore their resorts in time for the holiday season.

Picture: GettyImages

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ALSO READ: Buildings, roads and homes flood as severe weather hits KZN






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