6 dead after severe storm in Tuscany

Two people are still missing, authorities said on Friday evening. Most of the deaths were reported in the municipality of Montemurlo, north of Florence, where the Bisenzio River overflowed its banks. The cities of Prato, Empoli and Pontedera were particularly affected.

Heaviest rainfall in 50 years

In Tuscany, there has never been so much rain in such a short period of time in 50 years, explained regional president Eugenio Giani. It has never rained so much since 1966. Hundreds of rescue units and volunteers were deployed to clear mud and debris from the streets of the affected communities. Water pumps were in constant use.

The government in Rome declared a state of emergency because of the storms. As a result, five million euros were released for initial relief measures, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced at a press conference. She expressed her condolences to the population affected by the storms.

The northern Italian region of Veneto was also badly hit by the storms, as were Emilia Romagna and Lombardy. In Milan, the Seveso River swelled, having already overflowed its banks on Tuesday and flooded some quarters of the financial metropolis. Devastating storms had already occurred in Emilia Romagna in May, killing 15 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.

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