Weather warnings remain in Milan after flash floods

 MILAN – An orange weather alert continues in Milan and the Lombardy region with flood and weather warnings remaning in place after torrential rains wreak havoc across the area. The situation within the streets of the city is slowly improrving, along with those areas hit worst by the bad weather – via Valfurva, Ca Grande e Isola – whilst AMSA teamswork tirelessly to clean badly effected parts, reports Il Fatto Quotidiano.

 The situation in Milan after the strong bad weather that caused flooding in several parts of the city “hasn’t improved much, because it will only improve once the water north of Milan drops a little,” explained the Mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala. “In Cesano the water was at three and a half meters, and now it has dropped to two meters seventy, so thus it is still a very critical situation – he added – I think that it will take a few hours longer.”   

 The Council remind those in the region that it is very important, in conjuction with the weather alerts, to abandon all green areas, parks and wooded zones; do not stop near to contrustion sites, scaffolding or tents. Citizens should pay extra attention and take care if they are near to the two rivers nearby, the Seveso and Lambro, and to take care with regards to bridges and crossings, due to the danger of flooding.

 It is also vital to put in place security and safety measures for objects that could be moved and fall as a result of strong winds. The Council Operation Centre (COC) for civil protection for the community of Milan is actively monitoring all weather and is ready to coordinate any possible interventions required within the city.

 A German tourist is missing after attempting to escape on foot from sudden floods at a campsite on Lake Isola. The search is continuing as members of the fire brigade a rescue teams look for the woman, who was with her husband in a camper van. The man, with a dog in his arms, managed to save himself and was unharmed, but the woman is still missing after drifting away and being carried by the current, along with a second dog.

 The bad weather is not limited to just Milan, however, with Florence suffering from 40 milimetres of water in just one hour. The storm, beginning amongst the upper provinces of Livorno and Pistoia, crossed over the Lower Valdarno and reached Florence where it remained for around an hour before heading towards Mugello.

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