During the night, the rain on the Italian island intensified, said the head of the civil protection authority in Sicily, Salvo Cocina, on Friday on the public television broadcaster Rai 1. A hurricane was moving towards the island. In the Air Force weather report, meteorologists predicted heavy rain and strong winds for Friday.
A resident of a small town at the foot of the Etna volcano told the German press agency on Friday morning that the situation there was okay. It is more critical south of Catania in Syracuse and Augusta, where streets were under water, as the news agency Ansa reported.
Three people had lost their lives in Sicily during the storms and floods of the past few days. In Catania the water masses caused severe damage and carried away entire cars. Mayor Salvo Pogliese closed schools and unnecessary shops and offices. The beach promenade of Catania should also remain closed on Friday, as storm surges were feared.