Europe – In just 48 hours, Italy suffered devastating economic losses exceeding €500 million as a result of Hurricane Harry, which swept through several regions, leaving widespread destruction of infrastructure and bringing some vital services to a near standstill.
According to initial estimates from Italian authorities, the damage was concentrated in the electricity grid, roads, and bridges. Homes, tourist facilities, and agricultural sites also suffered significant damage, particularly in the coastal and northern regions, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s force.
Several cities experienced widespread power outages and disruptions to train and port services, while authorities declared a state of emergency in some regions. Additional rescue teams were deployed to deal with the aftermath of the floods and landslides triggered by the storm.
Meteorologists described Hurricane Harry as one of the most powerful storms to hit Italy in recent years, warning that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events and increasing the economic and human cost of responding to them.
In response, the Italian government pledged to expedite compensation and reconstruction plans. This came amid parliamentary calls for a review of disaster preparedness policies, after the hurricane exposed the vulnerability of some infrastructure to severe weather events.
