Thunderstorms and Chaos

Local Report on the Flooding and Landslides that Occurred as a Result of Very Bad Storms Last Night and This Morning

Landslides close stretch of Catania-Messina highway and State Road 114, at least four people are dead and 20 missing after floods hit the Messina province. Landslides close stretch of A18 Catania-Messina highway and State Road114 as storms lash Sicily, traffic is severely disrupted. According to local media and Police reports, several landslides occurred last night in the Messina province, closed a stretch of the A18 Catania-Messina highway in both directions between the Roccalumera andTremestieri exits, as storms hit several Sicilian provinces including Palermo, Catania and Trapani, disrupting rail services, ferry sailings and causing traffic chaos. Motorists are facing massive detours. A stretch of State Road 114 was also shut in the same area. At least four people are dead and 20 missing after a river of mudflooded parts of Messina as the area was hit by heavy rains. Officials said at least 100 people fled their homes when violent mudslides collapsed several buildings and swept away cars during a rain storm that lasted through Thursday night and early Friday. Mayor Giuseppe Buzzanca told Italy's Sky TV that rescuers were usingdogs to search for the missing in the hardest-hit suburbs. Sky aired images of flooded streets, filled with debris and mud reaching up to the wheels of cars. Buzzanca said rescue efforts were being hampered because many roads and railways were cut and parts of the city were still isolated, with help reaching those areas only on foot.