At least two people have died after a cyclone battered the Italian island of Sicily and dropped a year’s worth of rainwater in just 48 hours, leaving many streets flooded.
After almost 500mm of rain fell in 48 hours, shocking footage shows roads submerged under flood water.
A red alert warning was issued for Calabria in southern Italy and the northern tip of Sicily.
At least two people have been killed by extreme weather so far. One victim, a 53-year-old man, died after being swept away in Gravina, north of Catania, reports news agency Ansa.
Social media users shared dramatic video footage showing how flooding caused by intense rain had begun to wash cars down streets in Sicily
Yesterday’s flooding in Catania, Sicily has submerged almost all of a car. After being dragged down the road, the water elevated the motor’s front and forced it against a brick wall.
Multiple vehicles are seen on a Catania street that were submerged and then moved by the flooding.
Volunteers discovered the body of the man beneath a car Tuesday, after torrential rainfalls had hit the area.
Workers found the body of a second victim on Sunday, a 67 year-old man. His 54-year old wife is still missing.
One video was shared on social media and showed Catania’s fish markets submerged in floodwater. Water also poured down from higher ground onto the buildings and shops flooding the market.
The city’s central Via Etnea had also been submerged by the rainwater, which sent
Some roads on the Italian island were completely submerged after heavy rains, and some cars were at risk of disappearing below the water.
It was sometimes impossible to see the roads because of the rapid flood water. Parts of buildings were also flooded to the point that they were impossible to see.
As they tried not to flood the streets, people sought refuge inside shops and shops.
Rescue workers from the the Vigili del Fuoco firefighter corps are seen carrying an inflatable boat towards a flooded road as they attempted to help people trapped by the water
Alessia Gafuri, who filmed this clip, said: “Today my city was submerged in bad weather and it was difficult to leave the home.
“There were some people missing, who unfortunately lost the fight for their lives.”
Salvo Pogliese, the mayor of port city Catania, has closed all schools and businesses and advised against going outside unless it is urgent.
He said, “It is obvious to all how the city faces a tragedy and almost unimaginable atmospheric phenomena.”
One business owner (above) used a broom to push water back outside to protect his property from rising water levels.
Two businessmen used buckets to pour the water onto the street. The water was still on the floor of his shop, so he wore plastic bags to protect his feet.
After being pushed down by the water, a rubbish truck is seen being nudged up against a Catania brick bridge.
In Catania’s Monte Po district, a car park is completely submerged and vehicles are not accessible.
“Nobody likes to close schools. But exceptional situations can be handled with extraordinary decisions.”
Italy’s national fire agency reported that 620 rescue missions were completed overnight by 186 firefighters. Yesterday, 300 rescues of cars in Catania flood waters were done by firefighters.
Another video shows a group of people saving a man who was trapped under his car on a Catania highway.
There are rows of abandoned cars visible, and in the middle is a group of people trying desperately to tip a submerged vehicle over.
A second later, a man is pulled out from underneath a car and taken to the doctor for a check-up.
Rescue workers can be seen emerging from a flood street with an inflatable boat carrying them as they try to save motorists trapped in the street.
A resident attempts to clean up the floodwater-damaged property. He uses a broom in an attempt to move the water and mud off his property.
Catania saw the effects of the flooding and the devastation it left behind.
Many flights were diverted and ferry links between southern islands cancelled because of the storm.
Extreme weather is expected peak between Thursday-Friday, with residents being warned about being cautious.
Alessia stated, “Now the situation appears to have calmed. There is only strong winds.
“We fear more for Thursday, Friday, where civil protection has informed that a great storm is coming.
Climate change has been blamed by some for the heavy rainfalls and flooding. Rising temperatures are causing the Mediterranean Sea and oceans to heat up faster than they used to. This leads to more extreme weather and higher atmospheric humidity.
Cars along the Via Etnea are seen being carried down the street by the river of rainwater that fell so quickly in Catania
A Catania street, Sicily, is completely covered by mud after the floodwaters swept through the city.
Catania’s fish markets were also affected by flooding. The debris was scattered after the extreme weather.
Francesca Tachhi wrote on Twitter: “There is massive flooding in Catania because of extreme rainfalls. These photos are horrifying, Italy, as with most Mediterranean countries is extremely vulnerable due to climate change.
According to The Times the Mediterranean is 8C warmer than last year, according to The Times.
Luca Mercalli is the head of the Italian meteorological Society. He claims that the cyclone in Sicily might even be upgraded to a Medicane’. However, he added that ‘we’re not sure yet.
The term “medicane” is derived from the term Mediterranean hurricane. However, it is not a hurricane and shares similar characteristics.
The flooding occurs on the eve Cop26 climate talks in Glasgow which start this Sunday.