Local officials reported a month’s worth of rain fell in just four hours.
Clean up efforts are underway in Messina after the Italian city in Sicily was hit by severe flooding.
In a statement, city officials described the event as being of “exceptional magnitude” in a statement as prolonged heavy rainfall triggered mudslides.
Mud and debris swamped multiple streets in the Zafferia hamlet after the river overflowed, temporarily confining some residents to their homes. Four drivers, trapped by river water that had flowed into an underpass, were saved by firefighters.
Italy’s national fire service, the Vigili del Fuoco, said its teams had conducted over 100 storm-related interventions, including rescuing motorists trapped in flooded underpasses.
Emergency teams also deployed inflatable boats to evacuate residents trapped in their homes. According to Italy’s civil protection department, no injuries were reported in the affected area.
Messina Mayor Federico Basile told local media that emergency crews were actively clearing roads not only of water but also of thick mud and debris.
Meanwhile, Sicily’s President Renato Schifani said he was closely monitoring the ongoing situation in eastern Sicily.
“I am in constant contact with the head of our Civil Protection department and the mayor of Messina to coordinate operations and ensure immediate assistance to those affected. At present, the situation appears to be under control,” he said.
Heavy rainfall also struck Calabria on the Italian mainland, prompting the region’s mayor to urge residents to remain indoors for safety.
