Full Breakdown
Severe Weather Causes Fatalities and Flooding in Calabria
2/15/2026, 12:33:03 AM
Fatal Incident in Formello
A 58-year-old man died in Formello, near Rome, when a cliff collapsed onto his home late on Friday evening. The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Via Nazario Sauro, likely due to heavy rainfall that has affected the region in recent days. The collapse swept away a three-storey building, injuring two residents from the upper floors, who were subsequently hospitalized but reported to be in stable condition. Emergency services, including the fire brigade and carabinieri, responded promptly to the scene.
Widespread Flooding in Calabria
The severe weather has led to significant flooding across Calabria, with the Busento river overflowing in the locality of Molino Irto, affecting surrounding areas and damaging vehicles. Local authorities have reported that some families remain isolated as rescuers work to reach them. The Campagnano river also experienced flooding, impacting roadways between Cosenza and Rende. In Paola, strong winds and high waves threaten the railway line, where previous weather events have already caused erosion.
State of Emergency Requested
In response to the ongoing crisis, Calabria's regional government has requested a new national state of emergency due to the extensive damage caused by the recent spate of heavy rains. This follows a prior state of emergency declared last month for Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia after Storm Harry caused significant destruction. Calabria's president, Roberto Occhiuto, highlighted the impact on local agriculture, livestock, and fishing industries, stating they have been severely affected by the intense weather conditions.
Emergency Response Efforts
Over the past 72 hours, firefighters have conducted approximately 2,000 interventions across Calabria, Sardinia, and Sicily to address the flooding and landslides. Roads have been closed due to collapses, including a section of Via Lungo Crati in Cosenza. The local civil defense and emergency services are actively monitoring the situation and responding to ongoing challenges posed by the weather.
Criticism & Opposition
While local authorities are working to manage the crisis, some residents have expressed frustration over the preparedness and response measures in place. Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of infrastructure to handle such extreme weather events, particularly in light of the recent emergencies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Despite the extensive damage reported, there have been no confirmed additional fatalities or missing persons aside from the incident in Formello. The situation remains fluid, and ongoing assessments are necessary to fully understand the extent of the impact across affected regions.
Verbatim Quotes
“violent gusts, cloudbursts, storm surges and a wave of bad weather that has caused landslides, flooding, swollen rivers and collapsed embankments in various areas of our region,” — Roberto Occhiuto, President of Calabria
“On Friday, Mayor Gianpaolo Iacobini encouraged residents near the river to leave their homes for higher ground.” — Gianpaolo Iacobini, Mayor of Cassano all'Ionio
As the weather conditions are expected to improve by Sunday, local authorities continue to prioritize safety and recovery efforts in the affected areas.
