Italy: Severe flooding causes devastation

Following the severe flooding in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, a number of Italians are returning to their homes. Some of them are deep in mud. Those affected are confronted with a picture of devastation, and everywhere there is a sense of stunned disbelief.

In some places, the first clean-up operations have begun. According to media reports, thousands of volunteers have come forward and gathered in the affected areas to help.

More rainfall is forecast, however. The German Foreign Ministry has issued a travel warning for the worst-affected parts of Italy in the wake of flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, the number of known fatalities has also risen — at least 13 people are reported to have died so far.

"In the interior of the country there is a risk of flooding and landslides; storm surges could begin along the entire coast, including central and southern Italy," the German Foreign Ministry said. Travelers have been warned to take exercise special caution in the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Sicily, both of which are on the highest alert level.

In view of the situation on the ground, Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also expressed her "full solidarity" with the people in the affected regions. "The government is closely following the unfolding of events and is ready to take the necessary relief measures," she wrote on Twitter.

Around 100 severe landslides have also been reported. More than 10,000 residents in the affected areas of the Emilia-Romagna region have been forced to evacuate.

After heavy rainfall, parts of the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche experienced catastrophic flooding. Twenty-one rivers burst their banks and 36 cities and towns were flooded.

Residents were warned not to go to first floors or the basements of their apartments and houses under any circumstances. Many residents rescued themselves by moving to higher floors or to the roofs of their houses.

The Italian military and coast guard are also helping with rescue efforts. Residents and sometimes their pets have been helped out of homes inundated with water, in some cases by helicopter.

People are still missing. Most affected are the provinces of Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, Rimini and Bologna — in particular the cities of Faenza, Cesena (pictured) and Forlì, the Italian fire service announced. The Civil Defense also called on people to exercise great caution in the coming days.