2009 Messina floods and mudslides

2009 Messina floods and mudslides

Giampilieri after the mudslide
Date	2009
Location	Messina (Giampilieri Superiore, Altolia, Briga Superiore and Molino) Scaletta Zanclea
Deaths	at least 31 deaths 6 missing 95 injured

The 2009 Messina floods and mudslides occurred in Sicily on the night of 1–2 October, mainly along the Ionian coast in the Province of Messina. They also affected other parts of northeastern Sicily and killed a total of at least 31 people, some of whom were swept out to sea. More than 400 people were left homeless, as many houses collapsed.

The places which suffered the most damage were Giampilieri Superiore, a small frazione 10 kilometres south of the city of Messina, which was buried in mud; the comune of Scaletta Zanclea; and the frazione of Briga Superiore.

To avoid casualties, when the Messina region received heavy rains in February 2010, the government evacuated one-third of the population most at risk. A mudslide caused property damage, but no casualties.

On the night of 1–2 October 2009, a sudden downpour of rain, accompanied by strong winds and lightning, caused large mudslides through the valleys of the northeastern coast. The extreme nature of the weather gave people little time to flee buildings or vehicles; mud rapidly swept down from the surrounding hills and cliffs, clogging the streets of these towns with debris and grime, and carrying away people, cars, and dwellings. Officials reported that nine inches of rain fell in the space of three hours. In some areas, the mud was 20 meters deep.

The slide hit so quickly that rescuers later found many people trapped in cars and dwellings. Rail lines were covered with mud and major roads into the area were blocked. One man was found dead in his automobile, which was submerged in mud and water. Another drowned in the flooded cellar of his country home. A man choked to death after taking in mud in when the main piazza was flooded in a suburb of the city of Messina.

A survivor recounted his escape: "I was driving home when suddenly all this stuff came down on top of me and hit me full on. I managed to climb out of the car. It was a terrible experience". Cars were swept along by the mud. Many buildings collapsed; some were partially submerged by mud, and engulfed by water and debris. Some people were washed away into the Ionian Sea. At least 100 people evacuated their houses following mudslides.