GENOA – There were scenes of chaos in the city on Friday as residents were left without power after flash floods burst riverbanks overnight.

  A body found in the Brignole area of Genoa has been named as nurse Antonio Campanella, 57. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi offered his condolences to the family, and promised that those affected by the floods will not be abandoned by the state.

  On Friday the water receded and authorities began the clear up operation. Public transport was suspended and residents asked to avoid using cars as the streets were blocked with mud and debris.

  During the morning there were four arrests of looters targeting flooded businesses. Red Cross workers were also in the city, distributing blankets and drinking water amongst those forced from their homes by the floods. Mayor Marco Doria has called for a state of emergency to be announced.

  Doria also admitted that warning systems had failed, saying “the alert was not given.” The environmental agency ARPAL defended itself, however, saying that the data they had did not indicate such intense rainfall. Authorities are still on high alert with further rainfall expected.

  Meanwhile local residents attacked police officers who arrived to inspect the water levels in the Fereggiano area, angry at the lack of warning and flood defences in a city which has a history of flash floods. In 2011 six people were killed when the river burst its banks.

  Flooding has affected the entire area with a mudslide derailing a train in between Genoa and Turin. The driver was injured but all 150 passengers were unharmed.