Gussago, the day after: mayor Giovanni Coccoli doesn’t mince words. “An unprecedented disaster: in less than an hour 80 mm of water fell (the equivalent of 80 liters of water per square meter, ed), something crazy, never seen before. It was a hard and painful night with everything that happened. But the most important thing, fortunately, is that there are no injuries or families evacuated.” The mayor reports this in a live broadcast published on social media: in the meantime, a request has been submitted for recognition of a natural disaster.
Damage and inconvenience throughout the country
Throughout the country there are those who roll up their sleeves: “We intervened with Civil Protection volunteers and also other groups from other Municipalities, as well as the Fire Brigade and law enforcement. The flooded houses and basements have almost all been freed from the water – continues the mayor – but work continues on roads and roads. To those who are emptying their house or cellar independently, I ask you to leave mud and debris on the side of the road. Anything that has been damaged or ruined, such as objects, furnishings and appliances, should be taken to the recycling center and not left on the pavements. We have also already activated drainage companies to clean drains and other things, as well as groups of young volunteers, whom I thank, who are lending a hand to families, elderly people and lonely people, in short, anyone in need”.
Bad weather: the most affected areas
A direct line is active in the town hall – at number 030 2522919 – for “anyone who needs it: call the town hall and report your problem”, says Coccoli, who then launches an appeal addressed to “anyone who would like to lend us a hand as a volunteer: we we are organizing”. The water bomb on Sunday evening hit in particular the hamlets of Navezze and Casaglio, then the more central areas of Via Martiri della Libertà, Via IV Novembre, Via Dante Alighieri and the Caporalino area. A torrent flooded, then landslides and mudslides: roads like rivers, flooding and debris.
“It is a difficult time but we remain united – concludes Mayor Coccoli –: there are many homes damaged and many families involved. Once the emergency phase of these days has passed, we will begin to collect reports of damage. There will not be 100% compensation for everyone, but for the most complicated situations a contribution will certainly be given by us or by the Region: we have activated the state of natural disaster”.
