Italy - January 17, 2025 Sicily faced chaos on Friday as torrential rains triggered severe flooding across the island. Catania saw dramatic scenes, including fire brigade workers rescuing a man trapped in a submerged car. The Alcantara River overflowed in Taormina, while gales toppled trees and masonry in Caltanissetta. Relentless storms cut off the Aeolian Islands, including Lipari, Vulcano, and Stromboli, forcing school closures. Sardinia and parts of Calabria also enacted similar measures as a weather alert remained in effect. Authorities reported 315 emergency responses in Sicily, with Catania, Enna, and Ragusa hardest hit. In Randazzo, 14 people were evacuated as the Annunziata torrent rose dangerously. Rescue operations doubled in scale as teams secured structures and cleared fallen trees. Meteorologist Antonio Sanò warned that the extreme weather, driven by a Tunisian vortex, would continue to unleash heavy rain and raise the risk of further flooding in Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria.