Over the last few days, Rome has suffered torrential rains, leading to some of the heaviest flooding in the past century. Although the Tiber reached its peak, its banks have held.
Italian authorities said the Tiber will take several days to return to normal levels but there was no longer a risk of flooding. Civil Protection was also coordinating the removal of two barges that crashed against bridges after breaking their moorings on Friday. Italian media reported that a young man from Ireland fell in the river but his body has not been found yet. Hundreds of volunteers and officials had been deployed around Rome ahead of the flood's peak, while sandbags were lined up to contain any possible river overflow.
Firefighters Thursday rescued dozens of motorists stranded in their cars. Because of the intense rain, the streets of some northern Rome neighborhoods were already flooded by water and covered in thick brown mud. One woman died on Thursday when her car was submerged by a wave of water and mud in an underpass. The body of a second victim was found in the southern region of Calabria after a bridge collapsed.
Roman authorities have told citizens to remain home and stay indoors.
Earlier this month, much of the Italian city of Venice was underwater as some of the heaviest floods for several decades burst the city's famed canal networks and inundated historic landmarks such as St. Mark's Square.
Earlier this month, much of the Italian city of Venice was underwater as some of the heaviest floods for several decades burst the city's famed canal networks and inundated historic landmarks such as St. Mark's Square.
During this holiday season, let's all remember the citizens of a place we love.
