It was 2 AM when Father Giovanni Samorì, the parish priest of Traversara, received a call from the mayor instructing him to ring the church bells. This traditional alarm is now part of civil protection protocols in many Italian towns, designed to alert residents of imminent danger.
As heavy rain lashed the village, Samorì acted quickly, likening his role to “sounding the death knell.” It proved effective: the evacuation of Traversara’s 480 inhabitants went smoothly, and despite his worries, there were no fatalities.
However, weeks after the devastating storm on September 19 that hit Emilia Romagna for the third time in under 18 months, the extent of destruction in Traversara is apparent. The hamlet, situated by the Lamone River about 40 minutes from Bologna, has been nearly obliterated.
This disaster has ignited an urgent debate surrounding insurance for climate-related damages, a concept unfamiliar to many Italians until recently. Scientists now recognize Italy as one of Europe’s climate risk hotspots, prompting a shift in how extreme weather impacts livelihoods and the economy.
At present, only 6% of homes and 5% of businesses have insurance against natural disasters, prompting the government to call for change.
In Traversara, residents are grappling with the harsh realities of their losses. Only muddy, waterlogged land remains where a community once thrived, with homes directly affected by the raging waters that breached the riverbanks. Many houses now lie in ruins, filled with debris.
Cristina Baccarini anxiously awaits news on whether her parents’ flood-damaged home, also affected by severe flooding in May, needs to be demolished due to its weakened foundations. A bed and radiator protrude from the wreckage of the bedroom where her elderly parents were sleeping. They were airlifted to safety after needing to escape to the balcony on the building’s first floor. Her father, aged 91 and suffering from dementia, is in the hospital recovering from a fractured femur, while her mother is staying with relatives.
“My parents are essentially homeless,” Baccarini lamented, trying to hold back tears. “We had insurance, but it didn’t cover flooding. We attempted to get coverage, but because we were already flooded last year, we couldn’t secure it.”
The government is considering making insurance against natural disasters mandatory for businesses starting in January, an unpopular move among high-risk areas, with suggestions it may soon apply to households as well.
Emilia Romagna, known for its wealth and agricultural production, faces the highest costs from severe flooding. Earlier this year, two major floods resulted in 17 fatalities, 20,000 displacements, and damages estimated at €8.5 billion. The extent of damage from the recent floods, particularly in the province of Ravenna, is still being assessed.
Local resident Piera Alboni and her husband Daniele had just finished repairs from the previous flooding, funded by their savings, when the September storm hit. Now staying with a cousin, Alboni expressed her uncertainty about returning home, feeling her security and roots have been ripped away. Their insurance covers fire damage but not flooding; “What happened here was essentially an explosion,” she noted.
Feelings of anger and abandonment loom as residents believe they are left to fend for themselves. Homeowners affected by last year’s floods received €5,000, and although an online platform for further reimbursements was established, many found it cumbersome and gave up.
Tensions are rife between regional authorities and the national government, with accusations of mismanagement of flood defense funds. The European Parliament has allocated over €1 billion in aid for disaster-struck countries, with Emilia Romagna set to receive €378.8 million.
Residents are skeptical of their institutions’ ability to deliver necessary aid. Many fear mandatory insurance could drive businesses away and discourage future investment.
Roberto Bozzi, president of Confindustria for Romagna, insists on the urgency of investing in preventative measures. “Flooding is only going to become more frequent. We need long-term solutions, not just quick fixes,” he stated.
Bozzi runs Vulcaflex, an automotive products company employing around 500 people near Traversara. He highlighted the emotional toll on workers who just recovered from past flooding damage and fear another disaster. “It’s becoming increasingly tough to find staff willing to relocate here—who wants the risk of flooding?”
In Faenza, another town heavily impacted by previous floods, many businesses have shut their doors. Davide, who owns a paint and hardware shop, plans to close if another major flood occurs, expressing frustration over the situation. “My shop was completely submerged in the May flooding. I covered the repairs myself, and now they want me to buy insurance without improving regional security? It’s disgraceful.”
