Cyclone Harry: Devastation Across Southern Italy (Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia)
In late January 2026, Cyclone Harry, one of the most powerful Mediterranean storms in recent memory, slammed into southern Italy — battering Sicily, Calabria, and Sardinia with hurricane-force winds, torrential rains, and storm surges.
Widespread Impact
The storm unleashed waves up to 9–10 meters high along coastlines, flooding coastal towns, eroding beaches, and destroying roads and seaside infrastructure. Heavy rainfall triggered landslides and flooding, washing out streets and cutting off communities.
In just a few days, some areas received rainfall amounts equivalent to nearly half of their annual average, overwhelming drainage systems and saturating soils.
Inland areas were not spared — high winds uprooted trees and debris blocked roads, while heavy precipitation triggered landslips and localized flooding, disrupting daily life and complicating emergency response.
Evacuations and Emergency Response
In Niscemi, Sicily, a massive landslide forced the evacuation of over 1,000 residents after a 4 km stretch of hillside collapsed — leaving homes dangerously perched and infrastructure unstable.
Sicily’s experience during Cyclone Harry once again revealed how climate extremes and chronic neglect of territory management combine to turn natural events into social and economic disasters.
Another dramatic episode in Calabria: A Cemetery Collapses Under the Storm
In the village of San Mauro Marchesato, in Calabria, the storm caused another harrowing scene: intense rainfall — over 180 mm in just 24 hours — triggered the collapse of part of the old cemetery, sending around twenty coffins tumbling down into the ravine below. The landslide not only destroyed sections of the cemetery’s structure but struck deeply at the local community’s sense of memory and dignity, as officials prepare for the lengthy and sensitive task of recovery once conditions allow.
Agricultural Sector Devastated
Calabria’s rural economy also sustained heavy losses: strong winds and water logging destroyed crops and damaged farm infrastructure. The regional government has formally requested recognition of a state of agricultural calamity to unlock financial support for affected farmers and producers.
Government Action
The Italian government declared a state of emergency for the three regions and allocated initial funds for urgent relief and recovery.
Economic Toll
Early estimates place the total economic damage in the billions of euros, with significant losses to infrastructure, homes, agricultural lands, businesses, and tourism activities.
No Reported Fatalities
Despite the storm’s severity, officials reported no confirmed deaths, highlighting the effectiveness of warnings and evacuations.
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