Current:Home > Contact-usCatastrophic flooding in Italy leaves 9 dead, forces thousands to evacuate-LoTradeCoin
Catastrophic flooding in Italy leaves 9 dead, forces thousands to evacuate
View Date:2024-12-23 18:38:45
A major disaster is underway in northern Italy, where massive flooding is blamed for at least nine deaths. Thousands of people have been forced out of their homes in the drought-affected region north of Florence.
Many have been rescued, including a pregnant woman, an elderly man and a small child seen clutching for dear life amid rising floodwaters.
"I've lived here since 1979," said Cesena resident Edoardo Amadori. "I've seen floods go by, but I've never seen anything like this."
Powerful rapids swelling from rivers have washed away bridges, submerged cars and left thousands homeless. Firefighters have waded through water with flashlights, looking for people to rescue.
But many are still missing after rainstorms stretched across a swath of northern Italy and the Balkans for days. "Apocalyptic" floods, as well as landslides and evacuations, were also reported in Bosnia, Slovenia and Croatia.
Experts blame climate change. Last summer, the same region experienced its worst drought in 70 years. The Po River Valley, which produces 40% of the country's food, was in a government state of emergency.
Now, 10 months later, that same arid soil can hardly absorb the torrential rainfall amounting to roughly 20 inches in some parts — equal to six months of rainfall — in only 36 hours.
Formula One was forced to cancel this weekend's Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to not overtax emergency crews, which are already stretched thin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Chris LivesayChris Livesay is a CBS News foreign correspondent based in Rome.
TwitterveryGood! (3)
Related
- Mattel says it ‘deeply’ regrets misprint on ‘Wicked’ dolls packaging that links to porn site
- Florida power outage map: See where power is out as Hurricane Idalia approaches
- Alex Murdaugh’s Son Buster Speaks Out on Dad’s Murder Conviction in Tell-All Interview
- Michigan man won $835k this year after winning online lottery twice
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
- Convicted rapist who escaped from Arkansas prison using jet ski in 2022 is captured, authorities say
- Meg Ryan Returns to Rom-Coms After 14 Years: Watch the First Look at What Happens Later
- Nothing had been done like that before: Civil rights icon Dr. Josie Johnson on 60 years since March on Washington
- Katherine Schwarzenegger Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Pratt
- Trades dominate the day as NFL teams trim rosters to 53 players
Ranking
- ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ review: Darren Criss shines in one of the best musicals in years
- When is 'AGT' on tonight? Where to watch next live show of Season 18
- 'Speedboat epidemiology': How smallpox was eradicated one person at a time
- Tearful Vanessa Lachey Says She Had to Get Through So Much S--t to Be the Best Woman For Nick Lachey
- Lou Donaldson, jazz saxophonist who blended many influences, dead at 98
- 'I find it wrong': Cosmetics brand ends Alice Cooper collection after he called trans people a 'fad'
- Should you stand or sit at a concert? Adele fan ignites debate
- Bronny James' Coach Shares Update on His Possible Return to the Basketball Court After Hospitalization
Recommendation
-
Cruel Intentions' Brooke Lena Johnson Teases the Biggest Differences Between the Show and the 1999 Film
-
Crews rescue woman, dog 150 feet down Utah’s Mary Jane Canyon after flood swept them away
-
'100 days later': 10 arrested in NY homeless man's 'heinous' kidnapping, death, police say
-
Nothing had been done like that before: Civil rights icon Dr. Josie Johnson on 60 years since March on Washington
-
Federal judge denies request to block measure revoking Arkansas casino license
-
Exonerees support Adnan Syed in recent court filing as appeal drags on
-
Hurricane Idalia livestreams: Watch webcams planted along Florida coast as storm hits
-
Millions more workers would be entitled to overtime pay under a proposed Biden administration rule