A TERRIFYING “supercell” storm has left behind a trail of destruction in Italy.
Violent storms have ripped through several tourist regions and left hundreds of trees uprooted from the ground before smashing up parked cars.
EPARescue workers remove a fallen tree that fell over a car in Cervia, Italy[/caption]
Webcam Maverick RiminiTerrifying webcam footage captured the maritime ‘supercell’ storm battering the north-east Emilia-Romagna region[/caption]
EPADozens of cars were crushed as violent weather swept across the region over the weekend[/caption]
Shutterstock EditorialAuthorities confirmed 265 trees were found collapsed in Milano Marittima[/caption]
Intense rain, hail and winds reaching 60mph caused carnage with local media describing it as a “true maritime supercell”.
The phenomenon comes when a storm core that self-regenerates and brings in moisture from the warm sea.
The most damage took place in Rimini and Ravenna with vehicles trashed, crops ravaged and locals forced to flee from beach resorts over the weekend.
The storm first struck shortly after 1am on Sunday as it moved south along the coastline.
Footage captured the moment palm trees were blasted by the powerful winds.
Authorities confirmed 265 trees were found collapsed in Milano Marittima – with many plunging on top of parked cars and homes.
This left roads blocked by debris with civilians and tourists stranded.
Around 23 people had to be evacuated from a train which was stuck on the Rimini-Ravenna line after a tree fell on the tracks near Bellaria-Igea Marina.
Rimini recorded nearly 80 millimetres of rainfall as a clip taken from a home camera showed lashing rain coming down and sparking a torrential downpour.
The flooding swept across several streets and reportedly left seven underpasses slowly filling up with water.
The storm also ended up battering Cesena, Bellaria-Igea Marina, Riccione and Cattolica.
Dozens of firefighters responded on Monday morning to the chaotic scenes, according to Corriere Di Bologna.
The mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad, said: “Rain, hail, and exceptionally strong wind gusts caused extensive damage, including flooded underpasses, flooding of homes, garages, shops, businesses, and beach resorts, and damage to trees.”
No injuries have been reported as of yet but fears of further adverse weather are expected in the coming days.
The Emilia-Romagna region is now preparing to declare a state of regional emergency as they continue to assess the damage along the coast.
It comes just days after deadly floods hit Italy with bridges crumbling under torrential downpours and the streets of Sicily turning to rivers.
At least one person was killed after he was dragged to his death into a fast-flowing river.
Matteo Ciurca, 40, was swept away by the Crisa River in Leonforte as he went to feed his dogs.
Webcam Maverick RiminiResidential and tourists areas were both swamped under the adverse weather[/caption]
EPAOnlookers look on at a car completely destroyed by a fallen tree[/caption]
Leonforte’s mayor Piero Livolsi said his death was due to a “water bomb” tearing through the region.
Flash flooding has constantly struck Italy this summer after terrifying footage from July showed water ripping through towns in the northwest.
Churning black water was seen surging down the Frejus – a tunnel connecting France and Italy as torrential rain caused the waterway to break its banks, unleashing a violent flood across the region.
One person died as at least 10 people were trapped in buildings and had to be rescued.
And it isn’t just Italy facing floods as last month southern Spain was left partially underwater.
Murcia, the region around Benidorm, was lashed by wild weather just two weeks after thunderstorms hit the country and swept away two people.
Towns southwest of the city were the hardest hit as several homes were evacuated and some 90 litres of rain fell per square metre in the worst regions.
Shutterstock EditorialWorkers cut down fallen branches as they clear the roads[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
