Severe thunderstorms drops large hail on Liguria, leaves 2 people dead in Tuscany, Italy
Severe thunderstorms with intense lightning and large hail hit the eastern Liguria coastline between 04:30 and 05:15 UTC on August 18, 2022, causing extensive damage. The storms continued into Tuscany, leaving at least 2 people dead and 4 injured.
The storms caused flooding and severe damage to property. The Genoa-La Spezia railway line has experienced gusts of wind reaching up to 120 km/h (75 mph) and has been suspended due to the continued rushing water that carried materials and even some cabins from the beaches onto the railway line, and caused damage to the power lines.1
According to CIMA Research Foundation, hailstones in Chiavari and Sestri Levande were as large as 5 cm (2 inches).
The mayor of Sestri Levante near Genoa said he would request a state of calamity over storm damage and flooding.
The storms continued into neighboring Tuscany, where 2 people were killed by falling trees at Lucca and Carrara.
According to ANSA, the storms caused extensive damage and left at least 4 other people injured.2
The storms are forecast to continue affecting Italy’s northern regions for another 36 hours.
Before hitting Italy, severe thunderstorms swept over Corsica, France, leaving 5 people dead and dozens injured.3
Local media described the storm as sudden and extremely violent, with winds of 224 km/h (139 mph).
Maritime authorities reported 60 to 70 sea rescue operations.
References:
1 WATCH: Huge storms including giant hailstones wreak havoc in Italy’s Liguria – EuroWeekly News – August 18, 2022
2 Two killed as bad weather hits Tuscany – ANSA – August 18, 2022
3 Five dead as 200km/h winds batter Corsica – The Local – August 18, 2022
Featured image credit: Romanelli Alessandro
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