Rome, January 27, 2026 – The Europe Today: Italy declared a state of emergency on Monday following extensive damage caused by Cyclone Harry, which struck large parts of Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia last week, triggering floods, landslides and widespread disruption, officials said.
The storm caused a major landslide in the Sicilian town of Niscemi, forcing the displacement of at least 1,500 residents. Authorities warned that the situation remains critical as the landslide continues to advance toward the town center, according to foreign media reports.
Minister for Civil Protection Nello Musumeci said the precautionary safety buffer zone in Niscemi has been expanded from 100 to 150 meters as the landslide remains active. Rai News reported that the landslide front now stretches more than four kilometers, with depths estimated to reach up to six meters.
Fabio Ciciliano, head of Italy’s Civil Protection Department, warned that the number of evacuees could rise further. “The landslide isn’t stopped, and as it continues to move toward the town, it becomes increasingly important to increase the number of evacuees,” he said.
According to the media, the Italian government has allocated €100 million ($118.7 million) from the national emergency fund for initial response measures in Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia. A one-year state of emergency has been declared in the three regions to facilitate urgent interventions.
The funding will be used for debris removal, restoration of essential services and immediate assistance to residents affected by the storm and landslides.
Earlier on Monday, Italy’s Civil Protection Department extended the ordinary “yellow code” weather alert through January 27 in several regions, including Veneto, Sardinia, Campania, Calabria and Sicily, as a deep low-pressure system continued to affect the central-western Mediterranean.
Niscemi Mayor Massimiliano Conti described the situation as “dramatic,” saying conditions have continued to deteriorate. He confirmed that further collapses were recorded overnight, including a vertical terrain cut measuring around 25 meters. Several roads and schools at all levels have been closed in the town of approximately 25,000 residents.
In northern Italy, a separate landslide struck the Via Aurelia coastal road between Arenzano and Genoa on Monday evening, sending rocks and debris across both lanes near the Pizzo tunnel. Firefighters carried out overnight searches using canine units to ensure no one was trapped beneath the debris. No casualties have been reported.
Meanwhile, authorities in Sardinia extended storm alerts for an additional 24 hours, warning that heavy rainfall and heightened hydrogeological risks are likely to persist as severe weather conditions continue.
