Storms devastate Italian coastal regions and superyacht hotspots

Huge storms in the Mediterranean have rocked Italy’s coastal regions, submerging 75% of the city of Venice beneath floodwaters and wreaking havoc across superyacht destinations in Liguria. Multiple fatalities have been confirmed across the country.

In Liguria, the picturesque town of Rapallo bore the brunt of a particularly vicious surge overnight, with the port essentially wiped out – multiple yachts and boats broke free of their moorings and either capsized or were washed ashore.

The mayor of Rapallo, Carlo Bagnasco, wrote on Facebook (in Italian), that the storms were "a disaster for the city.”

“The violence of the sea and the wind did not give way to Carlo Riva and the seafront,” he added. “We are taking stock of the situation to understand how to resolve this incalculable tragedy as soon as possible.”

The severe damage is reported to have been partly due to the destruction of the breakwater protecting the tourist port of Carlo Riva. This let violent seas into the main marina and damaged or destroyed dozens of vessels – including, according to reports, those belonging to the family of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. Sky Italy reports that a number of superyachts were washed ashore and Liguria Nautica notes that Portofino has been cut off completely after the only road to the village collapsed.

In Genova, along the Italian Riviera, 92-metre (302-foot) motor yacht Queen Miri (formerly Delma) and 52-metre (171-foot) motor yacht Harmony (formerly Toinie) collided after breaking free from their lines.

Regional president Giovanni Toti has requested a state of emergency in Liguria to help the area cope with the after effects of the unusually powerful storms.

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