Bad weather: Sardinia armoured, red alert in Sicily and orange in Calabria

The bad weather was not long in coming. And in the south, regions have to deal with rain, gusts of wind and hydrogeological risk. And lockouts. As in Sardinia, where a red alert declared by the Civil Protection has been in effect since yesterday.

A situation described during the meeting with the Region and the municipalities in which today's forecast field was illustrated: "Persistent and widespread rainfall is expected, with significant accumulated amounts: up to 200 mm in 24 hours in Ogliastra, over 100-150 millimetres in Sulcis, Sarrabus, Gallura and Baronia - the Civil Protection Department explained -. The phenomena, while not assuming an intense thunderstorm character, will be characterised by a marked persistence, with similar conditions forecast for Tuesday as well. At the same time, a progressive intensification of wind and sea storms is expected over the next few hours'. The situation has prompted mayors to issue closure orders for schools, universities, sports facilities, public offices and facilities open to the public.

Also watch out for the winds, with the sirocco lashing and could reach 100 kilometres per hour and waves in the sea of up to 6 metres. Particular attention has been paid to the concomitance of rain and sea storms. Under special surveillance are the coastal roads. It is no coincidence that the Civil Protection has been activated on road 195 and 'shared possible preventive closures and diversions to alternative routes'.

Attention also in Sicily. In this case, following the red level weather alert issued by the Regional Civil Protection for hydrogeological and hydraulic risk, the mayor of Acireale, Roberto Barbagallo, has signed an ordinance to protect public safety, ordering, among other things, the temporary and immediate evacuation of buildings in coastal areas exposed to sea storms: those in Via Garitta and Via Rapallo and Lungomare Martinez in the Capo Mulini district and Via Molino in the Santa Maria La Scala district. The order has immediate effect until 8am on 21 January.

Orange alert in Calabria where the Civil Protection has issued a call for responsible behaviour that will not cause accidents. A strong wave of bad weather has been affecting Calabria for at least 48 hours with heavy rain and strong winds. In the region, the last 48 hours have seen more than 100 millilitres of rain, with peaks of 187 in the Crotone hinterland. Heavy sea storms are also forecast with waves that could reach up to 5 metres between tonight and tomorrow.