Torrential Rains Trigger Floods in Northern Italy, Causing Deaths and Damage
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Flooding claims lives in Veneto, Italy's northern region, caused by sudden flash floods.
Two individuals met their unfortunate end in the northern Italian province of Vicenza, Veneto, following a relentless deluge that left the region in tatters on Thursday. Reports Andrea Leone Nardon, 64, and Francesco Nardon, 33, both residents of Valdagno, were carried away by their car as they tried to navigate the treacherous waters near their home.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported the grim discovery of the two missing persons on Friday morning by rescue workers. The father-son duo, widely covered in local media, were identified by Il Corriere della Sera as the victims.
As the Agno stream, which meanders through Valdagno, swelled beyond its banks, the town saw a surge of floodwater that inundated roads and swept vehicles away. Residents across the region had already braced themselves for the impending disaster as rainfall pummeled the North of Italy for hours on end.
The Agno stream's overflow proved fatal for the Nardon family when their car was submerged and swept away while they were aiding the local Civil Protection service in the Ponte dei Nori area, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano.
Veneto's President Luca Zaia announced on Friday that the situation in Vicenza remains critical, prompting him to declare a state of emergency for the entire province, as well as neighboring Verona. Though flood-related casualties are currently limited to the Nardon family, efforts to assess the damage and repair infrastructure across numerous municipalities in the region are underway.
In Piedmont and the Aosta Valley, further south, a 92-year-old man perished in Monteu da Po when he was trapped in his home during the downpour. The region also grappled with blackouts, as heavy rainfall damaged high-voltage power lines, leaving 6,400 households without electricity as of Friday morning.
As Italy's north recovers from the catastrophic floods, red alerts for avalanches and further flooding remain active, raising concerns for the Easter weekend ahead. The aftermath of these disasters will likely extend beyond the holiday weekend, as the delays in reopening critical infrastructure—such as the Secula Bridge in Vicenza, slated for May 17—highlight the enduring impacts on the region from the floods of 2024.
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Sources:
[1] La Repubblica [2] Il Fatto Quotidiano [3] Il Corriere della Sera [4] Ansa [5] Il Corriere di Torino
- The flooding in northern Italy has resulted in a tragic loss of life, with Andrea Leone Nardon, 64, and Francesco Nardon, 33, both perishing in Valdagno, Vicenza, on Thursday.
- Italy's President Luca Zaia has declared a state of emergency for Vicenza and neighboring Verona due to the widespread damage caused by the floods.
- Beyond the Nardo family, another 92-year-old individual lost their life in Monteu da Po, Piedmont, as a result of the heavy rainfall and power outages affecting 6,400 homes in the region.
- Weather has been a significant factor in recent politics, as flooding and avalanche alerts persist, impacting the Easter weekend plans for Italy's citizens.
- As the region begins to recover, key infrastructure such as the Secula Bridge in Vicenza may not be ready for reopening until May 17.
- The ongoing flooding situation has not only captured the attention of domestic news outlets but also international media like the European Union.
- Political leader Matteo Salvini's ally, Giorgia Meloni, held a meeting with United States ambassador to Italy, Lewis Eisenberg, in Rome this week.
- Current transport strikes in Italy are anticipated to continue in May 2025, and potential applicants moving to Italy from the US should be aware of a new policy on citizenship applications that has recently been announced, subsequently named as "How Italy plans to further crack down on citizenship applications."
- To stay up to date on these and other pressing matters, check out the topical discussions and resources available, including a checklist for moving to Italy as an American and the latest general news updates on car-accidents, fires, and weather events.
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