Floods in Licata, Sicily, November 2016.
© Angelo CambianoFloods in Licata, Sicily, November 2016.
Over 160 mm of rain fell in just 3 hours yesterday, 19 November, 2016, causing major flooding in the city of Licata, Italy. The city is in the province of Agrigento, and is located on the south coast of Sicily at the mouth of the Salso River.

The Mayor of Licata, Angelo Cambiano, requested that people stay at home until the severe weather had passed.

In a statement via Social Media he said that areas of his city were flooded after 162 mm of rain fell in 3 hours. Despite serious damage to roads and buildings, there has been no reports of injuries of fatalities.

Mayor Cambiano said "I want to thank all those who have worked so hard: civil defence, the fire department, the municipal police, the municipal employees, volunteers and citizens. Thanks to them the worst was avoided, and their commitment testifies that when everyone works together, the community benefits."




The heavy rain triggered a landslide that blocked the Highway 123 between Licata and the town of Campobello di Licata, about 25 km north.

Cars, buildings and roads have suffered damaged. Mayor Cambiano said that full damage assessments will begin tomorrow, Monday 21 November.

Earlier today, the President of the region of Sicily, Rosario Crocetta, expressed his solidarity with the entire community of Licata and announced that the government will declare of a state of emergency for the city early next week. This will allow access to public funds of around 30 euros.

Referring to the fact that Licata is known to suffer frequently from flooding, President Crocetta said, "we need to intervene to fix failures of the past...by eliminating structural problems."