In recent months, Milan has been the subject of numerous weather warnings and the danger of flooding is always around the corner: but which are the most affected areas?
Last May 16th was a black day for Milan, to say the least. So much water fell on the city that hadn’t been seen for years, according to the Security Councilor Marco Granelli it was around 120-130 cm of localized rain, all in a single day. A phenomenon also caused by the flooding of Lambro riverwhich has completely the Ponte neighborhood was flooded.
In 2014 it was the Seveso river that flooded for ten hours along the streets of the Niguarda and Isola districts. Side bad weather, Milan was struck by heavy rainfall for the entire spring period and even summer, it just doesn’t seem to want to arrive. According to Arpa Lombardia the situation could change starting from Wednesday 5 June but, currently, a new wave of bad weather cannot be ruled out.
The most at-risk neighborhood in Milan: which areas to monitor and how to protect yourself
Whenever a Milan the weather alert is triggered Fear is also rising, the memory of the floods and storms that hit the city, especially in 2014 and 2010, is still very fresh. The city of Madonnina has been hit in recent years by long periods of drought followed by sudden stormsof ever greater intensity, to the point that in a few minutes it they flood the streets and the water takes several hours to flow into the drains.
The Municipality of Milan has been working for years to fix the situation, however the delays in the work to make the Seveso safe and the uncertainty about the city’s meteorological future leave room for fear. What makes the situation in Milan precarious are the buried rivers which flow under the houses, streets and clubs of the city: the Seveso, the Olona, the Garbogera, the Pudigia and the Guisa. It is a choice, that of burying the rivers, dating back to the end of the nineteenth century and copied by French cousins. The goal is always the same: increase building space, without considering the consequences on the environment and on the safety of the city itself. The waterways, in fact, are channeled into narrow spaces which, during periods of heavy rain, struggle to maintain the banks.
Therefore, the areas above become the most at risk. In recent times, the rivers Seveso and Olona have created problems, joined by the Lambro, which cannot be considered a buried river since it still flows mainly on the surface. According to one Legambiente study, dating back to the first months of 2023 and based on the previous 12 years, the areas most at risk of flooding are: Parco Lambro; Lambrate – Rubattino; Nettle; Viale Marche and Cascina Merlata: Niguarda, Bicocca and Parco Nord; Isola and Garibaldi. These areas have been affected by in the last 12 years at least 20 floods.
5 things to do to protect your home and garage from floods
Protecting homes, buildings and garages from floods requires a combination of preventative preparation, so as not to be unprepared when the crisis strikes.
- Check the drainage system: Make sure gutters and downspouts are free of debris and functioning properly, and install drainage pumps in basements and garages.
- Install flood barriers: Use removable bulkheads or barriers for doors and windows. Seal basements with waterproof materials.
- Plan an alarm system: Install water warning systems with sensors that warn of leaks.
- Land maintenance: Check the condition of retaining walls and embankments around the property and, where possible, keep the soil around the house well drained.
- Insurance: Make sure you have flood insurance coverage.
