Flooding in Monterosso October 2011 (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)
Based on a news story on an Italian website in La Spezia, the storm is being called the “Flood from Hell” and the photos posted clearly reinforce that expression. The death toll has now risen to 9, although not all are from Cinque Terre, Some are from nearby coastal towns.
Damage in Monterosso after the flood (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)
People are still missing and the highest cliff town of Corniglia is still completely isolated. Partial train service has been restored after cleaning the mud and debris away from the tracks, but the Vernazza stop is not functioning yet.Trenitalia, the Italian railway seems to be handling the disaster fairly well, considering that they have managed to open some of the track. Until then the only access to these fishing villages was from the sea, just as it was years ago before the train lines were built here.
Here are some photos from Monterosso and Vernazza that were posted on the La Spezia website You can compare these to the photos of the same area that I took in May. I am glad that they are getting help, and on Sunday, according to the Italian news, people donated money at a regional soccer game to help clean up after the disaster.
A Monterosso street after the storm and mudslide (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)
Monterosso marina after the storm (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)
Vernazza flooding (Photo credit Laspezia.menticale.it)
Vernazza May 2011
Monterosso May 2011
margieinitaly 
Unbelievable. . .glad you were back home when this well named Flood From Hell struck. We are always just a thumbnail away from disaster.
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This is just horrible. I hope these beautiful towns can recover.
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I know. I feel so sad because it is an area not easily accessible for repairs When I was there in May part of the trail was closed between Monterosso and Corniglia because of a mudslide that had occurred over a year ago.
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So devastating.
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It is nearly mind numbing thinking of the losses of these people; it is hard to think of anything that could even be put into words- except for prayers. And, how grateful I am that you are home, Margie.
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Having visited this part of Italy twice, my heart dropped hard when I think of the natural beauty of the Five Lands… it’s people… and then I see the devastation of the recent flooding.
I’m concerned for the locals there and am reaching out to a few I’ve met during my travels.
If you’d like to take a moment to make a donation, please visit the Red Cross online at the link below and select “Emergency Tuscany and Liguria” from the drop-down box. It’s undoubtedly the fastest way to show your support.
http://cri.it/flex/FixedPages/EN/Donazioni.php/L/EN
Italy, you will recover!
Thanks,
Patrick @ ForTheLoveOfItaly.com
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Dear Margie, dear all,
I found your blog while looking for some pictures to show to my boyfriend in order to explain what had happened in my region. I am originally from Sestri Levante, a town on the coast only a few kilometres away from the Cinque Terre. I have been living abroad for the past ten years and it was a real shock to hear the news, see the pictures and listen to my friends and family telling tales of destruction of a place that not only is home, but also a symbol of timeless beauty and success through preservation.
Anyway, this long introduction to say that I am really touched by your comments and your support and that I really hope that the Cinque Terre will soon return to its original splendour.
Thank you for loving my country.
Marta
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Just saw this post. How awful for those people. We visited there only a couple of weeks before the floods happened.
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Old news now but no less tragic. The clean up sorted by now of course. I was just visiting after seeing you on “2 black dogs” and clicked on this one first.
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This is the perfect web site for anyone who hopes to
find out about this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue
with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa).
You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject which has been written about for
a long time. Excellent stuff, just great!
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Thank you – Glad you enjoy it, Mary Lou
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