Archive for October 6th, 2009

Messina floods landslides mudslide Sicily

Messina floods landslides mudslide Sicily

Arriving in Trapani airport last night, the reality of the Messina floods hit home. Even on the west side of the island of Sicily there have been mud slides and many of the roads blocked by mud and landslides.

Messina is in the north east of Sicily on the Ionian coast and recently in the news for the approval of the project to build the Strait of Messina bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy across the Messina strait from Reggio Calabria.

Torrential rain hit Sicily on Thursday 1st October and overnight Messina floods. Apparently over 200cm of water fell within an hour creating devastating flash floods and mudslides.

The worst hit towns were were Giampilieri Superiore, 10km south of Messina, Scaletta Zanclea and Briga  Superiore.

The Italian state declared a state of emergency. This is the worst landslide disaster in Italy since 1998 in Naples.

24 dead of which the following 20 identified : Martino Scibilia, di 86 anni; Concetta Cannistraci, di 71; Monica Barascia, di 48; Carmelina Maria Barbera, di 81; Santina Porcino, di 33; Carmela Oliveri, di 47; Roberto Carullo, di 50; Onofrio Sturiale, di 26; Agnese Falgetano, di 44; Maria Letizia Scionti, di 26; Elena De Luca, di 75; Cristian Maugeri, di 22; Letterio Maugeri, di 23; Letterio Laganà, di 72; Teresa Macina, di 40; Francesco De Luca, di 74; Salvatore Scionti, di 64; Pasquale Neri, di 30; Giuseppe Tonante, di 76.

I have witnessed these Sicilian storms. The conflict of hot air coming from Africa and the cool air travelling south from the Italian Alps creates a metrological condition similar to a tropical cyclone.

Flooding was also reported in Palermo, Milazzo and Catania.

If you own an italian property in Sicily or on holiday in sicily or looking to buy a house in sicliy and flying into Catania Airport take note that local roads travelling north like the E45 or the statale 114 are still blocked. Keep to the autostrada A18 which is reported as clear today.

I trying to find out if a relief fund for the Messina Floods has been set up for donations…ok found them…there are 2…personally i’d go with option 2

1: Donate to Catania Council

Bank name : Banca di Sicilia

account name : “Vittime alluvione in Sicilia” …..translates as “Sicilian storm victims”

IBAN : IT54R0102004600000350350350

2 Donate to Messina Council(announced by the town of Reggio Calabria)

account name : “Comune di Messina – Servizio Tesoreria”

reference : “pro-alluvionati”

IBAN : IT 91Y0102016598000300034781

Read more here

2009 Messina floods and mudslides