Heavy rain, tornadoes and unusually large gunfire: several settlements cut off from the world

A severe weather system hit northern and central Italy on Thursday, causing widespread disruption with heavy rain, tornadoes, and unusually high lightning strikes. The storm led to flooding, river overflows, and landslides, leaving several villages cut off from the outside world. In Lombardy, around 350 people were evacuated, and authorities have declared a state of emergency. The storm affected regions including Lombardy, Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna, according to foreign news agencies. Roads and bridges were damaged, parts of the railway network had to be temporarily closed, and for one hour, the airport in Forlì, Emilia-Romagna, was shut down. In Florence, Tuscany, part of the tram service was suspended, and an elderly tourist was injured when a roof collapsed due to strong winds. In Tuscany, images showed chairs and tables being swept away by the storm. Social media posts highlighted the chaos, with one user sharing footage of debris scattered across streets. In Liguria, more than 37,000 lightning strikes were recorded, while in Tuscany, officials estimated over 21,000 strikes. Trees were uprooted across the region, damaging power lines and leaving approximately 6,000 households without electricity, according to Austrian news agency APA. Strong storms and hail caused damage in the Friulian-Julian countryside. In mountainous areas, wind speeds reached up to 128 kilometers per hour. Some roads were preemptively closed, and in Turin, Piedmont, a tornado devastated the area on Thursday. According to Ansa, a wall collapsed onto multiple vehicles, causing further disruption. Lombardy's regional president, Attilio Fontana, announced that a state of emergency would be declared. Firefighters recorded nearly 1,000 interventions, with around 400 in Lombardy alone. Six villages near Brescia were isolated from the rest of the country, and approximately 250 residents were evacuated. Authorities continue assessing the full extent of the damage, with ongoing efforts to restore infrastructure and provide aid to affected communities. The storm has left a trail of destruction across northern Italy, highlighting the vulnerability of rural and urban areas to extreme weather. Emergency services remain on high alert, working to clear roads, repair utilities, and assist displaced residents. As the situation develops, local governments will likely announce additional measures to support recovery efforts.