Storm Boris is battering northeastern and central Italy, days after causing devastating floods in central Europe.
Over 1,000 people have been evacuated from the northeastern Emilia Romagna region, while serious flooding has hit towns in Marche. Two people are missing.
On Thursday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced €10bn (£8.4bn) in EU funding for the affected countries. The announcement came after a meeting with leaders from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Austria in Wroclaw, Poland, which has been threatened by rising river levels.
Von der Leyen emphasized the need for “extraordinary measures” during these challenging times.
Italy is now the latest to face the wrath of Storm Boris, which swept through Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Austria, leaving at least 23 dead.
In Emilia Romagna, schools have closed, landslides have impacted roads, and train services have been severely disrupted. Authorities urged residents to avoid basements and move to higher floors, with cities like Ravenna closing public buildings, and the University of Bologna canceling exams.
Faenza has been hit hardest, with river levels rising rapidly overnight, forcing residents to evacuate in dinghies. Overflowing rivers have also overwhelmed the city’s sewage system.