A strong cyclonic storm hit the southern Italian island of Sicily on Tuesday (October 26) inflicting widespread flooding across the metropolis of Catania, turning streets and squares into rivers and lakes and inflicting not less than two deaths, rescuers mentioned.
A spokesman for the Misericordia group of volunteers, who’re serving to police and firefighters, mentioned the physique of a person was discovered beneath a automobile amid torrential rains sweeping the city of Gravina, north of Catania.
Contacted by Reuters, police confirmed the demise with out offering particulars.
On Monday, a 67-year-old man died after his automobile was hit by rising waters and dust. His spouse was nonetheless lacking.
The rain has inundated a few of Catania’s most well-known streets and squares, inflicting a blackout within the metropolis middle and flooding retailers. Colleges have been closed within the metropolis and in a lot of close by cities.
Floods additionally hit a ward at Catania’s Garibaldi hospital, media reported.
“The emergency scenario is widespread and very crucial and it doesn’t appear to be enhancing,” a spokesman for the firefighters mentioned.
Italian climate web site Ilmeteo.it mentioned elements of Sicily and the adjoining toe of Italy, Calabria, have been being pounded by a uncommon tropical-like cyclone referred to as a medicane, and the ocean was 8 levels Celsius hotter than the common for this time of yr.
The storm was anticipated to peak between Thursday and Friday, it mentioned.