Severe weather in Sardinia: all the latest updates

Around 200 millimeters of rain, the amount typically expected in more than two months, could fall within 24 hours in Ogliastra, with over 100-150 millimeters expected in Sulcis, Sarrabus, Gallura, and Baronia. Wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour and storm surges with waves up to 6 meters high are also expected.

This is the picture painted by the ARPAS meteorological sector, which speaks of an "extreme phenomenon".

For two days, the eastern and southern sectors of the island have been under lockdown, with dozens of ordinances (one also in Cagliari) ordering the closure of schools, universities, public offices, parks, cemeteries, and sports facilities.

The red alert applies to the eastern and southern parts of Sardinia. In the heart of the island, in the Tirso area, it's orange, while on the western side it's yellow. The warning issued by the Civil Protection Department lasts until 11:59 PM today, January 19th. A new bulletin is expected today. "It will be a crescendo, from 12 PM today until tomorrow, and we don't rule out a resurgence even on Wednesday," said Regional Environment Councilor Rosanna Laconi from the Civil Protection Department's decision-making room.

BELOW IS ALL THE NEWS ABOUT THE BAD WEATHER

1.05pm – Traffic back to normal on the 198

Traffic has returned to normal on the section of state road 198 “di Seui e Lanusei” previously affected by a landslide in Gairo.

1:00 PM – “Weather worsening in the afternoon, with continued rain until Wednesday.”

Cagliari, southern Sardinia, the Pula area, Teulada, and Ogliastra. These are the areas of the island where storm surges and heavy rains are expected. The General Directorate of Civil Protection, Environment Councilor Rosanna Laconi, explained the situation, also providing a series of instructions for residents. "It will be a crescendo, from 12:00 PM today until tomorrow, and we don't rule out a resurgence on Wednesday as well."

1:00 PM – Caprera closed

The mayor of La Maddalena, Fabio Lai, has not closed the city's schools, unlike other mayors, despite the regional red weather alert. However, this morning he signed an ordinance prohibiting access, transit, and any activity on the roads and wooded areas of the island of Caprera, due to the risk of falling branches or trees, with the exception of residents who need to reach their homes on the island.

12:40 PM – Torpè, dozens of families evacuated

The Municipality of Torpè has ordered the immediate evacuation of residents and those domiciled in buildings located along the right and left banks of the Posada River and in all areas classified as high risk by the Municipal Civil Protection Plan. The affected areas are: Baddore, Matta Erva, Ena de Puleu, Filinita, Sa Tanca Noa, San Pietro, Ussela, Sas Luas, L'Unità, Terra Teulasa, Tiedda, Giunne Pala, Su Puttu, Poiu, Badu Arghentu, Pasu e Lana, Binzarena, and Multalditana. Evacuated residents can be accommodated in the municipal gymnasium on Via Eleonora d'Arborea.

12:40 PM – COCs active in 146 municipalities

"The Municipal Operations Centers (COCs) are active in 146 of the island's 377 towns." This announcement comes from the Director General of the Civil Protection Department, Mauro Merella, and this data provides a rough idea of the extent of the alert. "The Rescue Coordination Centers (CCSs), managed by the Prefectures, are operational," Merella explained. "In the countryside, we have invited shepherds to gather their flocks, to ensure maximum safety for their animals as well." The Civil Protection Department has mobilized thousands of personnel. "We've been working on this for days," said the regional councilor for the environment, Rosanna Laconi.
Nicoletta Ornano, Director General of ARPAS, is also present in the Civil Protection Decision Room. (Alessandra Carta)

12:35 PM – "Waves up to 6 meters high tomorrow"

"Tomorrow will be the worst day for storm surges: it will be a crescendo with waves up to 6 meters." Alessandro Delitala, director of the Meteorological Department of the regional agency for environmental protection, explains this in a live link from Arpas Sardinia to the operations center of the regional Civil Protection agency. A map is projected on a large screen: storm surges are marked in red. Therefore, the south of the island and the eastern coast will be the most affected. "In fact, marked in brown, waves of up to 9 meters are expected a little further offshore."

12:25 PM – "No water bombs, but continuous, persistent rain and storm surges."

Storm surges and rain. These are the two fronts of the severe weather currently affecting the region, driven by the arrival of Cyclone Harry, held over the Mediterranean by the high pressure of the Christian anticyclone. "The current phenomenon presents conditions similar to what occurred in Sardinia in October 1951," explains Alessandro Delitala, director of the Meteorological and Climate Department of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection, from ARPAS, in connection with the Civil Protection Department. "What are called water bombs are not expected," the director adds. "The rain will be continuous and persistent, and this is the critical element." (Alessandra Carta)

12:00 PM – Hospitals only conduct emergency procedures

Only urgent care and crisis units have been activated in hospitals in the Cagliari and Sulcis areas. Maximum alert is also in place at the Monserrato Polyclinic and the San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, where only urgent care will be provided today and tomorrow. The local health authorities of Nuoro and Gallura have also issued similar orders.

11:50 a.m. – Flooding in Capoterra

In Capoterra, several problems were reported due to the severe weather, including the complete flooding of the Maddalena beach parking lot. The rain, which fell steadily since the early morning hours, caused rapid accumulation of water in several areas of the area.

11:45 a.m. – Highway 195 closed due to a landslide in Gairo

Sardinia's Civil Protection Department has ordered the closure of State Road 195 along the coast between Cagliari and Capoterra. Traffic is scheduled to be stopped around noon, when a red alert is issued. A landslide occurred in Gairo, Ogliastra, prompting the closure of State Road 198.

11:20 a.m. – Fallen pine trees, provincial road 17 closed in Quartu

In Quartu, along the Capitana coast, provincial road 17 was temporarily closed to traffic due to the fall of three large pine trees. The accident occurred near a campsite. Firefighters responded to the scene, securing the area and quickly restoring traffic.

11:00 AM – Pirri under special observation

Civil defense is deployed, ready to close roads in case of flooding. The market is closed, stalls are closed, and even the historic Mariuccia bar in Piazza Italia is closed. This is how Pirri is preparing for the arrival of the storm, which is expected to strengthen as the hours pass. From the area of Cagliari most at risk of flooding, people are anxiously watching the sky, as rain begins to fall insistently and gusts of sirocco wind are strengthening.

10:30 a.m. – Nuoro, landslide on the road to Ortobene

The first hours of the alert in the city of Nuoro passed without any serious critical issues being reported. The situation is being constantly monitored by the municipality, which established the Emergency Control Center (COC), and, at this time, no significant disruptions have been reported in the municipality. Local police officers and firefighters responded to a landslide along the provincial road to Ortobene; closure is being considered.

10.20 am – Flumendosa ford flooded

The Flumendosa ford in Villaputzu has been flooded due to heavy rains and has been closed to traffic since yesterday as a precaution. The images are from Villaputzu Mayor Sandro Porcu: "This is the current situation at our ford following the rains of the past few hours and the releases from the dams," he writes. "At the moment," he adds, "also following releases from the dams upstream, the water level has risen above the raised section. All fords included in the Municipal Civil Protection Plan have also been closed to traffic for the duration of the alert. The Land Reclamation Consortium is operational and ready to intervene with pumps on the Sulis River if necessary."

10am – The sea threatens the 195

The sea is rising dangerously on the stretch of State Road 195 "Sulcitana" between Cagliari and Capoterra. The road, particularly the coastal section very close to the carriageway, is under special observation due to the risk of storm surges that could compromise safety. Strong winds have already knocked down branches from several trees. Anas personnel and vehicles are on site to monitor the situation; if the waves exceed the alert level, the road will be closed.

8.30 am – Patchy rain

It's raining in patches across Sardinia. The monitoring stations, which allow Civil Protection to monitor the situation in real time, are 152. In the last few hours, four have been marked red: Gairo Punta Tricoli, with 123.40 mm of rain, Bau Mandara in Villagrande, with 115.00 mm. On the Flumendosa, the Armungia station recorded 107.40 mm, and Villasalto 100.60 mm.

7:30 a.m. – First interventions by the Fire Brigade in Sulcis

The first effects of the severe weather, at least in the South, were felt especially in the Sulcis area. Heavy rains overnight caused flooding in some basements of homes in Domusnovas. Firefighters were called to the aid of those in need.