Italy declares state of emergency in Tuscany hit by Ciaran storm

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - The Italian government declared a state of emergency on Friday for the central Tuscany region, ravaged by torrential rains and strong winds, as Storm Ciaran hit the country along with several others in Western Europe.

Local authorities said that five people died after rivers overflowed in the region and some bridges collapsed near the city of Pistoia, while at least one person was still missing.

Experts had raised worries that River Arno could burst its banks in the city of Florence around midday on Friday, but the high-water point was reached without relevant incidents.

Italy’s Civil Protection authorities said 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain fell in a three-hour period in the Tuscan region, from the coastal city of Livorno to the inland areas of Mugello, overflooding roads, houses and hospitals, and leaving thousands with no electricity.

A Cabinet meeting on Friday declared a state of emergency for the areas most hit by floods, earmarking €5 million ($5.4 million) to deal with the immediate damages.

Northern Italian regions, including Veneto, were also on high alert for the storm and authorities warned that the extreme weather was heading toward southern Italy.

Storm Ciaran brought record rain and exceptional winds that have already caused heavy flooding in Northern Ireland, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and France, killing at least 12 people across the countries.