| Flooding in Dublin on October 25. | |
| Fatalities: | 17 |
| Areas affected: | Ireland, Italy, France, parts of North Africa |
The 2011 floods in Europe, caused by low-pressure area,[1] occurred in late October–early November in France, Italy and Ireland. In Italy the river Po rose 4 m (13 feet) in Turin and a number of people (including two children) died in Genoa.[2] A state of emergency in the Italian regions of Liguria and Tuscany was declared after floods killed 10 people on October 27, causing mudslides.[2][3] In Ireland, a state of emergency was declared in Dublin three days before.[4]
The same low-pressure area also induced heavy rain and flooding in parts of North Africa.[1]
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Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed during sudden flash floods around the country.[4] Dublin City Council declared a major emergency.[4] Dundrum Town Centre in Dublin, one of Europe's biggest shopping centres, was evacuated shortly before 8pm on 24 October 2011 after floodwaters surged through the doors, destroying most stores. The owner of a Mexican restaurant in the complex said five-feet of water had rushed down steps towards his business, causing thousands of euro worth of damage.[5] Roads around County Dublin and County Wicklow remained shut the following day.[6]
Two deaths were reported in the country during October.[7][8] A 58-year-old Filipino care worker, who had recently become an Irish citizen, drowned in her basement flat on Parnell Road, Harold's Cross, Dublin. She had only recently moved into the flat.[9] Her body was discovered after emergency services pumped the water out.[10] The other death was a member of the Garda Síochána who was swept into the River Liffey at Ballysmuttan Bridge in Manor Kilbride, County Wicklow.[4][11] Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore paid tribute to the dead.[12]
Monaghan town centre was reported to be "impassable". Houses in Ballybay, County Monaghan, were evacuated due to a collapse.[13]
Roads in Carlow, Cavan, Louth and Kilkenny were impassable. The Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap were badly hit. The Slea Head Road in County Kerry was shut down after it flooded.[13] Motorists abandoned their vehicles and fled from the floods.[4]
In Northern Ireland, 18 people, including two children, were rescued by boat in Beragh, County Tyrone, with a new £1 million GAA centre sustaining damage. Newry, Omagh and Strabane were also badly hit.[13]
According to Met Éireann, a rainfall of up to 85mm (3.3 inches), equal to an average month's norm, fell across the Dublin area within three hours.[7] There was record rainfall at Casement Aerodrome.[14]
The city of Genoa sustained flash floods that erupted when 356 millimetres of rain have fell in six hours on November 4. About six people have died.[2] The receding waters in that city revealed heaps of overturned cars, furniture and mud dispersed across the streets. Several people have been reported missing in the city.[2] According to Genoa mayor Marta Vicenzi, the floods constituted "a completely unexpected tragedy".[2] Near Pozzuoli, a tree fell on a car, killing the driver.[15] A bridge across the Pellice stream in the countryside collapsed due to rushing waters with no reported injuries.[15] Flooding also occurred in Venice.[2] The muddy water reached Cinque Terre, while the ports of Vernazza and Monterosso were swamped by hundreds of tonnes of debris and mud.[16]
The Serie A matches between Napoli and Juventus, as well as between Genoa and Inter Milan, were postponed.[2][15] An investigation was opened in the country into whether floods were the fault of official negligence and illegal building.
Five people have been confirmed dead and one person was swept away in the river Var.[17] About 750 people were evacuated from flooded areas in Frejus, Roquebrune and Tourves.[15] The preliminary damage from floods in the south of France throughout one week has been estimated at between €550 million and €800 million.[17] About 7,500 homes in the departments of Var and Alpes-Maritimes lost internet or phone service on November 6–7.[18]