Emilia-Romagna bad weather: National Civil Protection Service declared the state of mobilisation
The measure guarantees support to the Civil Protection structures of the Region, which are already fully operational, through the use of resources from other Regions and national Voluntary Organisations
Today, 3 May 2023, the Minister for Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Nello Musumeci, signed the declaration of a state of mobilisation of the National Civil Protection Service in support of the Emilia-Romagna Region, which has been hit by high-intensity weather events causing a serious situation of danger for the safety of people and public and private property. The measure allows the immediate mobilisation of national resources to support local systems and authorises the Civil Protection Department to coordinate the resources provided, before the declaration of a state of emergency.
The request for the activation of the system at the national level came in the morning from the President of the Region, Stefano Bonaccini, considering that the phenomena are still ongoing and the situation is in evolution.
The Regional Civil Protection System has been ensuring full operativeness since Monday 1 May, when, due to the intense rainfall, the first critical situations were recorded: regional components and operational structures are ensuring continuous monitoring of the territory to ensure the safety of the population and implement the first measures to address critical situations. In particular, these have affected the territories of the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, and Ravenna, causing the overflowing of numerous watercourses, the breaking of some banks, landslides, flooding, and the isolation of some localities, forcing the authorities to evacuate numerous families from their homes. There was also serious damage to road infrastructure, public and private buildings, hydraulic works and the network of essential services.
Local activity was ensured by keeping close contact with the National Department until the decision to request support sent in the morning.
The Head of the Civil Protection Department, Fabrizio Curcio, with a team of officials from the Department, is in Emilia-Romagna to carry out inspections in the affected areas together with regional technicians and guarantee all the necessary support to the territory.