One third of Genoa's annual rainfall fell in 6 hours causing the worst flooding the city has seen for 40 years. Six people were killed including two schoolgirls who were sheltering in an apartment block lobby which flooded. Cars and motor scooters were swept away as the streets filled with water and much of the city centre has been closed while the clean up operation continues. Thick mud covers streets and basements and has breached homes, shops and ancient buildings.
Residents are calling for an enquiry into why schools were not closed and city officials are under pressure to explain why the rule on building on river flood plains has been relaxed as it is believed that the flooding was made worse because of the absence of anywhere for the water to 'run off'.
Elsewhere in Italy the heavy rains have affected vast areas of Tuscany, Liguria, Piedmont and even the outskirts of Rome. The Scirocco winds from the Sahara, have affected the south of the country making travelling difficult and high seas have cut off some of the islands.