Top line
After a two-month drought, Italy’s northeastern Emilia-Romagna region was hit by flash floods and mudslides for the second time this month, killing at least nine people and leaving thousands homeless.
This aerial photo shows flooded cars in the town of Lugo, near Ravenna, on May 18.
Basic facts
The overflowing of 23 rivers and streams has caused 50 floods and 280 mudslides in more than four dozen municipalities, according to the region’s official website, with casualties, at least 12,000 evacuated and others missing.
The most affected regions are Bologna (15 floods and more than 40 mudslides), Ravenna (13 floods and about 90 mudslides) and Forli-Cesena (12 floods and more than 100 mudslides).
The region launched a fundraiser for affected residents and deployed more than 560 firefighters to locate and rescue citizens.
Basic background
Emilia Romagna is about 115 miles south of Venice, Italy. The area experienced at least two months of drought before torrential rains earlier this month and in the last 48 hours. The region was due to host several Formula 1 drivers at the Grand Prix this weekend, but recent flooding led to the cancellation of the event, Formula 1 said in a statement.
A resident walks through the flooded streets of Lugo on May 18 due to heavy rains. … [+]
This aerial photo shows the castle and flooded streets in the town of Lugo, near Ravenna. … [+]
On May 18, a resident carries a cat carrier in one of the flooded streets of Lugo city.
Pedestrians walk their dog on a flooded street in Lugo.
Displaced people take shelter in the sports field of the local Palacattani sports facility … [+]
Rescuers evacuate residents by boat across a flooded street in Lugo.
A rescuer walks through the flooded area of ​​Bologna on May 17.