Cremona on his knees for bad weather, Mattarella calls the mayor

A powerful tornado struck the city of Cremona on August 28, 2026, causing widespread damage and injuring more than 40 people, many of whom suffered minor injuries. The storm hit in the afternoon, bringing heavy rain, hail, and violent winds that damaged several key buildings, including parts of the cathedral and the municipal tower. The mayor criticized the decision to hold a football match during the emergency, arguing that resources should have been focused on the city's recovery efforts instead. The tornado began around 4 p.m., when a severe thunderstorm rapidly intensified, accompanied by hail and extremely strong wind gusts. Emergency services were deployed to multiple locations across the city to address flooding, fallen trees, and damaged roofs. Traffic was slowed in several areas due to debris and safety measures being implemented. Many residents were injured by falling pieces of cornices, tiles, and roof coverings. Several individuals sought medical attention at emergency rooms, often in shock. More serious but still non-threatening injuries occurred to occupants of a car struck by a tree that fell in via Giuseppina, near the city’s outskirts. They were initially rescued by other drivers before being extracted from the vehicle by firefighters. Mayor Andrea Virgilio shared images of the damage caused by the storm on his social media accounts, stating that the storm was far more intense than one that had affected the city about a month earlier. He emphasized that this time, the damage extended beyond just fallen branches and trees, with significant damage recorded to buildings. Technicians, local police, civil protection teams, and rescuers were working together to assess the situation and respond to the most affected areas. Virgilio warned that traffic conditions remained critical, with delays and congestion still present, urging citizens to move carefully and avoid areas under repair work. Despite the ongoing emergency, the scheduled football match in Serie B at the Stadio Zini proceeded as planned. This decision drew criticism from the mayor, who argued that it would have been more appropriate to postpone the game. He explained that the resources required to ensure security during the match, approximately 20 local police officers and a coordinator, could have been better utilized in addressing the city's immediate needs. For Virgilio, the issue was one of priorities: when a city faces such a severe emergency, public safety, interventions, and the needs of its citizens must take precedence over sporting events. The tornado caused extensive damage to landmarks, including the cathedral and the municipal tower. The roof of a spire of the cathedral collapsed, as did part of the roof of the civic tower, which is the last remaining structure of the original municipal palace built in 1206. Firefighters continued their operations throughout the day, dealing with flooded areas, uprooted trees, and damaged vehicles. The extent of the damage has prompted discussions about the need for coordinated response efforts and long-term infrastructure assessments. The extreme heatwave affecting Italy reached its peak on August 28, with temperatures reaching up to 45 degrees Celsius in some regions, particularly in Sicily and Sardinia. Mathematical models suggested that temperatures could reach as high as 48 degrees Celsius in certain areas. Southern and central regions of the country experienced significantly higher temperatures, while northern areas saw slightly lower readings. However, forecasts indicated that the weather would improve slightly over the weekend, with fewer cities under red alerts for extreme heat. Despite this, the impact of the heatwave combined with the tornado created a challenging situation for emergency responders and residents alike.