Severe Weather Alerts Issued in Southern Italy
Authorities announce red alert for Sicily and Calabria due to intense rainfall and winds
On January 17, 2025, Italy's Civil Protection Department issued weather alerts across southern Italy due to a strong storm system bringing heavy rain and intense winds throughout the weekend.
Sicilian and Calabrian regions have been placed under a red alert, indicating the highest level of warning, while an orange alert has been announced for parts of Sardinia.
The bad weather conditions have prompted the closure of schools in cities such as Catanzaro, Reggio, and Lamezia Terme.
The advisory, communicated in agreement with the affected regional authorities, forecasts widespread precipitation ranging from rain showers to thunderstorms.
Accompanying these are strong wind surges and electrical storms, affecting key areas of Sicily and Calabria, and later extending to parts of Sardinia.
Authorities have also warned about possible gale-force winds from the east affecting Basilicata and Campania, with severe wave activity expected along exposed coastal areas.
In Catania, particularly hard-hit by the storms, roads have been overwhelmed by floodwaters, necessitating multiple emergency operations by local fire brigades.
Heavy precipitation started overnight, with areas like Palagonia and Riposto experiencing significant impacts.
In a separate event on the same day, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake was recorded in the Campi Flegrei area near Naples.
The seismic activity, part of ongoing bradisismic activity, was felt distinctly in Naples and in nearby communities like Monte di Procida, Quarto, Pozzuoli, and Marano di Napoli.
The quake was shallow, occurring approximately two kilometers below the surface.
Smaller tremors preceded and followed the main event, although no structural damage or injuries were reported.
Moving to international affairs, the Supreme Court of the United States has confirmed a law preventing TikTok's operation in the U.S. unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its stake.
This decision, unanimously supported by all justices, highlights congressional concerns over national security relating to user data collection by the app.
The ban is set to come into effect by January 19, 2025, contingent on whether ByteDance sells its U.S. operations.
Finally, in Italy, Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè is set to face trial over alleged financial irregularities related to Visibilia Editore, a company she founded and recently divested from.
Sixteen individuals, plus one company, are involved in the proceedings scheduled to begin on March 20 of this year, with significant attention on potential political ramifications.
Sicilian and Calabrian regions have been placed under a red alert, indicating the highest level of warning, while an orange alert has been announced for parts of Sardinia.
The bad weather conditions have prompted the closure of schools in cities such as Catanzaro, Reggio, and Lamezia Terme.
The advisory, communicated in agreement with the affected regional authorities, forecasts widespread precipitation ranging from rain showers to thunderstorms.
Accompanying these are strong wind surges and electrical storms, affecting key areas of Sicily and Calabria, and later extending to parts of Sardinia.
Authorities have also warned about possible gale-force winds from the east affecting Basilicata and Campania, with severe wave activity expected along exposed coastal areas.
In Catania, particularly hard-hit by the storms, roads have been overwhelmed by floodwaters, necessitating multiple emergency operations by local fire brigades.
Heavy precipitation started overnight, with areas like Palagonia and Riposto experiencing significant impacts.
In a separate event on the same day, a magnitude 3.0 earthquake was recorded in the Campi Flegrei area near Naples.
The seismic activity, part of ongoing bradisismic activity, was felt distinctly in Naples and in nearby communities like Monte di Procida, Quarto, Pozzuoli, and Marano di Napoli.
The quake was shallow, occurring approximately two kilometers below the surface.
Smaller tremors preceded and followed the main event, although no structural damage or injuries were reported.
Moving to international affairs, the Supreme Court of the United States has confirmed a law preventing TikTok's operation in the U.S. unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, sells its stake.
This decision, unanimously supported by all justices, highlights congressional concerns over national security relating to user data collection by the app.
The ban is set to come into effect by January 19, 2025, contingent on whether ByteDance sells its U.S. operations.
Finally, in Italy, Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè is set to face trial over alleged financial irregularities related to Visibilia Editore, a company she founded and recently divested from.
Sixteen individuals, plus one company, are involved in the proceedings scheduled to begin on March 20 of this year, with significant attention on potential political ramifications.
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