Italian
The city was hit by an incredible cloudburst that lasted at least two hours and caused flooding and disruption.
Mestre – Water is still being pumped out of basements, garages, and underpasses as residents deal with the aftermath of the long storm that struck yesterday, August 21, across the Venice area and the province of Padua.
The heavy rains caused flooding in several parts of the city, mainly in Via Bissuola, Corso del Popolo, and in Marghera, reaching as far as Chirignago. Numerous power outages were also reported, affecting about 1,000 users due to three flooded underground substations.
There were also delays and disruptions to rail services. Traffic was suspended between Padua and Mestre, and some trains were delayed by up to 90 minutes.
Firefighters and Civil Protection teams are still working to drain flooded basements and cellars, with over 60 interventions recorded in nearby municipalities. Some areas are still reporting 30–40 centimeters of water in garages and ground-floor homes, particularly in Chirignago.
Civil Protection and local police have been mobilized to monitor the situation. The Municipality of Venice has convened the Municipal Operations Center (COC) to manage the emergency.
As usual…
The consumer association Adico criticized the management of weather emergencies, pointing out how the city flooded in a manner similar to 18 years ago, despite the funds spent on prevention.
In reality, the rainfall this time was enormously greater. During yesterday’s storm, more than 180 mm of rain fell. This exceptional amount of water overwhelmed the soil’s absorption capacity and the sewage system, causing widespread flooding and disruption, especially in the city’s “low-lying” areas.
In the Padua area, numerous municipalities were affected, including Mestrino, Rubano, Limena, Vigodarzere, Villafranca Padovana, Curtarolo, Piazzola sul Brenta, Padua, Battaglia Terme, Noventa Padovana, Due Carrare, Maserà di Padova, Montegrotto Terme, Abano Terme, Albignasego, Ponte San Nicolò, and Pernumia. The most critical issues concern flooded basements and difficulties in draining wastewater, with pumps still operating to empty flooded road underpasses.
The Fire Brigade handled more than 340 calls, many from citizens requesting help for flooding and water damage, and more than 100 Civil Protection volunteer organizations were activated, deploying over 140 teams with more than 500 volunteers to support the 64 Municipal Operations Centers.
President Zaia’s thanks
“I wish to thank not only the regional Civil Protection, the Fire Brigade, the reclamation consortia, and volunteers, but also the Civil Protection Department staff and Councillor Gianpaolo Bottacin, who ensured important coordination from the earliest hours,” said Luca Zaia, President of Veneto. “The declaration of a regional State of Emergency signed today is a fundamental tool for effectively addressing the consequences of this storm. Unless new emergencies arise, the regional operations room will close this evening, while in the Venice and Padua areas, given the persistence of the phenomena and the ongoing situations, interventions will very likely continue into tomorrow.”
