Santa Maria a Monte commemorates 1966 flood

The community of Santa Maria a Monte is holding an event to honor the rescuers and victims of the 1966 flood. On November 4, 1966, approximately 70 million cubic meters of water flooded the territories of Santa Maria a Monte, Castelfranco, and Santa Croce.

In Santa Maria a Monte, the breach of the Arno river embankment at Ponticelli resulted in the deaths of the Bachini family, the flooding of 560 homes, and the need to evacuate 2,500 people. The disaster caused extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, and 132 businesses.

Rescue efforts involved various military branches, including the Carabinieri, Army, Air Force, Navy, Firefighters, and the Pisa Air Section of the Guardia di Finanza. The Guardia di Finanza utilized helicopters to rescue 118 residents from isolated farmhouses on November 5 and 414 people in the Santa Croce area on November 6. Key figures recognized for their roles include Lieutenant Giuseppe Mezzetti, Marshal pilot Marcello Cherici, Brigadier pilot Pasquale Salvati, and specialist Giovanni Bongiovanni.