Storm Damage and Flood Protection Efforts in Northern Italy
The Sarca, swollen with coffee-colored water, and the streets covered in large clumps of fallen needles and leaves vigorously swept by the wind, were the most visible signs yesterday morning of the storm that struck our area the night before. This was evident in Dro, Arco, and Riva; however, in Torbole, which we discussed extensively above, the damages—indeed significant—were truly extensive.
On Wednesday night, the river rapidly swelled. Its bed was overwhelmed by the enormous amount of rain that fell in just a few hours, and the increasingly arid ground, due to prolonged drought conditions, was unable to absorb it as quickly.
With its exceptional and mighty discharge, the Sarca cleared the banks of all kinds of refuse and debris that had accumulated before and during the storm, carrying it towards the lake. This time, however, the debris did not disperse into Garda: the Riva and Torbole fire brigade managed to block it at the mouths of the river before it could drift out to sea and endanger boat safety.
Protection operations and damage to boats
As is always the case when the Sarca floods, it also carries large logs and branches of uprooted or broken trees downstream, which can float on the surface and sometimes go unnoticed in time to avoid collisions. Nevertheless, this danger is prevented. A sturdy net in the bend of Baia Azzurra forms a safe barrier.
Today, volunteers will work to remove these obstructions and clean the river mouth to prevent new waves of bad weather.
Damage and local conditions
Among the wind’s victims are two boats docked on the dry at Fraglia della Vela. Both Ufo 22, owned by engineer Gianni Debiasi, and the J24 belonging to Paolo Matteotti, were on trailers and capsized.
The storm on Wednesday did not cause other major problems. In Valle di Ledro, as elsewhere, some small trees have been uprooted. In Arco, old, unstable roof tiles have fallen here and there from aging roofs, but without causing injury to people or damage to property.
In vegetable gardens, yards, terraces, and balconies, the wind has certainly left its mark, overturning trellises and vases, but compared to the destruction in France, Lombardy, and Piedmont, there is no real cause for complaint.
Crop inspections and damage to agriculture
Regarding agricultural impacts, the Basso Sarca area can consider itself fortunate. The only crops that suffered moderately (considering that elsewhere, such as in Valle di Non, the storm caused significant damage) are apple orchards (discussed in the adjacent article). In vineyards, where the harvest is nearing completion, no serious issues have been reported.