A regional update on the Emilia Romagna floods
The Emilia Romagna region in northeast Italy faced devastating floods, with 15 confirmed deaths linked to the disaster. The body of a missing Ravenna farmer was recovered last night, while the region continued to cope with widespread displacement. In total, 23,067 people were evacuated from their homes and have not yet returned.
Regional authorities report 15 fatalities and 23,067 people left homeless. Of those, 16,445 losses were centered in the Ravenna area; 4,462 in the province of Forlì-Cesena; and 2,160 in the Bologna area. Among the displaced, 2,694 found temporary shelter in hotels and authorized centers such as schools, sports facilities, or gymnasiums.
Road access remains a major challenge, with 603 roads closed mainly due to landslides. About 1,600 volunteers work daily to clear mud as water levels recede, even as some municipalities still face flooding.
Conselice, a town in Ravenna Province with roughly 10,000 residents, has been underwater for a week. Health risks persist where stagnant water remains, prompting warnings about waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal issues.
The mayor of Conselice, Paola Puca, urged residents to avoid contact with water as much as possible due to the risk of disease transmission and other health problems associated with contaminated water.
A new aid package
This Tuesday, the Italian government approved a comprehensive aid package aimed at alleviating the crisis. The package totals about 2 billion euros and includes tax exemptions, delays on judicial or administrative proceedings, a 580 million euro fund to assist business owners forced to close, and a scheme to support workers whose jobs were affected by the disruption. Additional measures cover temporary employment support and salary protection for public officials.
Plans also include measures to fund the projected recovery and reconstruction efforts. The package contemplates possible price adjustments for public services and museum admissions, along with arrangements related to the sale of confiscated properties to support relief and rebuilding efforts.
Stefano Bonnacini, head of Emilia Romagna, confirmed that this aid represents just a portion of what will be needed as the region begins planning for a comprehensive rebuild. He announced that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen would visit the area on Thursday to assess needs and coordinate support. (Regional authorities)