Severe flooding has impacted Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, prompting evacuations and travel warnings.
- Storm Boris has struck Italy, causing damage and disruption across central and eastern Europe.
- The Foreign Office has warned of risks near riverbanks and affected green areas due to flooding.
- Train services in north-eastern Italy are suspended; tourists are advised to stay informed.
- The European Commission has pledged €10 billion in funding to aid affected European regions.
Italy is currently experiencing severe flooding, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region, as a result of Storm Boris. This storm has already wreaked havoc across central and eastern Europe, prompting the Foreign Office to update travel advisories.
The Foreign Office has emphasised the potential dangers around riverbanks and green areas impacted by the flooding. The public is advised to exercise caution in these areas, as well as near stagnant water spots that can pose additional risks.
Train services across north-eastern Italy, including routes between Faenza and Forli and between Porto Maggiore and Ravenna, have been suspended. Travellers are urged to verify travel plans with tour operators or accommodation providers and to adhere to guidance from local authorities.
In response to the unfolding situation, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has announced a significant aid package. “These are extraordinary times and extraordinary times need extraordinary measures,” she stated, highlighting the mobilisation of €10 billion from cohesion funds to assist the affected nations.
Von der Leyen’s announcement followed discussions with leaders from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria, aiming to coordinate aid efforts and ensure swift support to regions in distress.
Evacuees and travellers should remain vigilant and informed as authorities manage this significant natural disaster.
