Torrential floods strike Emilia Romagna again, sparking debates on mandatory insurance for recovery.

Floods Ravage Emilia Romagna: Villages in Peril, Insurance Debate Rises

At 2 a.m., a phone call from the mayor to Giovanni Samorì, the parish priest of Traversara, broke the stillness.

Following a civil protection protocol, Samorì rang the church bells to alert the village to the impending disaster.

As torrential rains battered the northern Italian region, the 480 residents of Traversara were swiftly evacuated. Thankfully, there were no casualties.

The September 19 floods were the third major storm to hit Emilia Romagna in just 18 months. The damage to Traversara was extensive, leaving the hamlet nearly destroyed.

Situated along the Lamone River, the village was overwhelmed by the rising waters, leaving homes flooded and debris scattered.

This devastation has ignited a heated debate about the necessity of insurance for climate-related disasters.

Villagers evacuated as floods devastate Traversara, raising concerns about climate change and rebuilding.

Currently, only 6% of homes and 5% of businesses in Italy are insured against natural calamities.

The Italian government is considering making insurance mandatory for businesses, with talks of extending it to households.

Residents like Cristina Baccarini, whose elderly parents’ home was destroyed, are grappling with the losses. Her parents, who had survived the May 2023 floods, were rescued by helicopter.

Their home may now need to be demolished due to structural damage.

Frustration is growing in the region. Many feel abandoned as they try to recover from back-to-back disasters. In May 2023, 17 people lost their lives, and damage exceeded €8.5bn.

With climate change expected to bring more frequent flooding, calls for long-term solutions and improved infrastructure have intensified.

Businesses fear that compulsory insurance may drive them away, further destabilizing the region’s economy.

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