Cyclone “Harry” batters Italy, causing billions in damage photo

Three days of heavy rain, storms and hurricane-force winds triggered by Cyclone “Harry” have caused billions of euros in damage across Italy, particularly in Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria. Along the coast, high waves destroyed towns, homes, roads and promenades, flooding residential neighbourhoods and tourist areas.

The newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that waves reached heights of up to 16 metres.

In Sicily, a stretch of coastline about 100 kilometres long was damaged. In the town of Santa Teresa di Riva, what were described as apocalyptic flooding scenes were recorded, while in the popular tourist resort of Giardini Naxos, water inundated beaches, homes and restaurants. In Taormina, sections of the seafront were destroyed, and railway lines between Messina and Catania were flooded. Authorities in Messina deployed the army to assist the population.

In Sardinia, the most severe damage was reported in the south of the island, including the towns of Nula, Capoterra and Pula. Many popular beaches were either destroyed or flooded. In Calabria, sea waves in the town of Melito Porto Salvo destroyed about 100 metres of the promenade, while in some areas the amount of rainfall recorded over four days equalled what is normally seen over six months.

By Tamilla Hasanova