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Emilia‑Romagna declares regional crisis after July storms hit 117 municipalities
The president of the Emilia‑Romagna region, Michele de Pascale, signed a decree on 1 August 2026 declaring a regional state of crisis in response to severe weather events that struck seven provinces in July. The decree, valid for 180 days, authorises the president to coordinate emergency actions, allocate resources and issue ordinances for urgent interventions, assistance to the population and special measures against forest fires.
Two intense weather waves hit the region – on 15 July and again from 18 to 21 July – bringing heavy rain, hail, strong winds up to 119 km/h and downbursts. The storms caused widespread damage to roads, buildings, power lines, trees and rail infrastructure, forced evacuations of families and disrupted agricultural activities. The regional civil‑protection service activated aerial assets, including an Erickson helicopter, to support rescue and recovery operations.
The crisis covers 117 municipalities across the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara and Ravenna, with 28 municipalities located in the province of Reggio Emilia. The decree enables the region to implement emergency measures for water management, fire prevention and the restoration of essential services.
Entities
Bologna · Castel Guelfo · Emilia-Romagna · Emilia‑Romagna · Erickson Helicopter · Ferrara · Imola · Medicina · Michele de Pascale · National Civil Protection · Reggio Emilia · Reggio Emilia Province
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The crisis affects the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Parma, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara and Ravenna, with 28 municipalities in Reggio Emilia. www.24emilia.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The decree covers 117 municipalities across seven provinces of Emilia‑Romagna. www.sabatosera.it · www.24emilia.com · www.estense.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The decree also enables special measures for forest fire prevention and response. www.sabatosera.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] The crisis decree is valid for 180 days, allowing the president to coordinate emergency actions and allocate resources. www.sabatosera.it · www.24emilia.com · www.estense.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The storms caused damage to roads, buildings, power lines, trees, rail infrastructure and forced evacuations of families. www.sabatosera.it · www.24emilia.com · www.estense.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Michele de Pascale signed a decree declaring a regional state of crisis for severe weather events in July 2026. www.sabatosera.it · www.24emilia.com · www.estense.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The regional civil‑protection service deployed aerial assets, including an Erickson helicopter, to support rescue operations. www.sabatosera.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two intense weather waves struck the region on 15 July and from 18 to 21 July, bringing heavy rain, hail, winds up to 119 km/h and downbursts. www.sabatosera.it · www.24emilia.com · www.estense.com