Modena Residents Resilient Amid Flooding
Modena is an Italian city, rich in history and excellence. Here was born the Ferrari car, balsamic vinegar, a culinary art envied all over the world, the largest ceramic district on the planet Earth, and the best restaurant in existence – just to name a few. It is a land of hard working and creative people who, if they get into trouble, rise up stronger than before.
On Sunday 7 December, a large part of the countryside and villages around Modena (Nonantola the most affected village), was completely flooded. The rupture of an embankment of the Panaro river is now causing many families to pass moments of fear and despair.
Houses full of water, impassable roads, 364 people evacuated with the help of rubber boats, and a lack of electricity in many areas.
The people of Modena are used to difficulties. Earthquakes and other floods have shaken this land several times in the past. Solidarity and hard work are repaying the suffering.
The 150 firefighters and almost 300 civil protection volunteers are working for hours without end, in the rain that never stops. The leak in the embankment was promptly repaired, but many people are still away from home or intent on saving what can be saved inside their houses.
Researchers and teachers from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia immediately made themselves available to help Civil Protection in the technical-scientific field.
Fortunately, the leak has been closed and sealed. Additionally, the river is being constantly monitored to avoid further problems.
A step was also taken by the President of Emilia Romagna Stefano Bonaccini who promptly requested the State for the Recovery Fund in order to secure the territory, bearing in mind the enormous changes that occur due to climatic effects.
On 7 December, the residents of the affected municipalities awoke in the “yellow zone,” an area where travel would finally be granted. They could have gone to visit relatives or to shop in the city, but the tragedy struck them.
The anger is high and justified. Citizens have wondered why the alert came only when the water was already inside the houses and why public money has not been used in recent years to prevent these types of disasters.
Fortunately, thanks to all the people involved in the rescue, the safety rules for Covid were implemented and ad hoc shelters were created.Surely the Modena population will rise again to continue filling the world with its wonders.
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