The area of Fornace Zarattini, a hamlet in the municipality of Ravenna, has been one of the hardest hit by the floods that dramatically affected Emilia-Romagna in recent weeks. The region has now been allocated over 2 billion euros by the government, 'in order to guarantee relief and assistance to the populations and businesses affected by the floods and to proceed rapidly to overcome the emergency phase'.
The situation is still critical in some areas, although the water is beginning to recede. According to information from the Emilia-Romagna Region, at 12 noon on Wednesday 23rd May there were still 23,067 people who had had to leave their homes: 16,445 in the province of Ravenna, 4,462 in the province of Forlì-Cesena and 2,160 in the province of Bologna, not to mention the enormous damage. To try to better understand what happened, idealista/news has spoken to Maria Febbo, owner of the real estate agency 'Bella Casa', which is located right in that area, in the hamlet of Fornace Zarattini.
- What is the situation after the floods?
"Fornace Zarattini, the first suburb close to the centre of Ravenna, is the worst affected. To safeguard the centre and not allow the water to reach there, they put up barriers that flooded the whole Fornace area. We are very angry. The northern part has suffered major damage to taverns and garages, while the southern part, on the other side of Via Faentina, is completely submerged. You can find up to two metres of water in the houses there, the ground floors are flooded, furniture is floating".
- When did the emergency start?
"On Tuesday, 16th May, the fire brigade and police came by and said we had to start evacuating, to leave. The weather was bad, but the houses were still habitable. Then on Wednesday 17th May, the lights went out, it was evening and we heard people shouting 'water is coming'. I immediately made my daughter come to me with the children, but when the power went out, we left and had ten minutes to get to the reception centre, after which they erected the wall that no longer allowed us to leave. Once they closed it, the water increased dramatically within a few hours. My daughter's in-laws, who had wanted to stay in the house, moved from the ground floor to the first floor and when they saw that the water was also starting to reach the first floor, they called for help and were rescued by rubber boats. It was unbelievable.
- Then what happened?
"Where I am, in Via Orioli, the situation started to improve slightly on Monday 22nd May, even the water in the surrounding field slowly started to recede. Monday was the first day that residents in Via Orioli started working to empty the taverns. But they had to leave their homes again because the air had become unbreathable, there was a great stench of diesel. People were at their wits' end. Moving one kilometre towards the centre from where I am, there is still a lot of water. Engineers have started to devise a plan to drain the standing water, which is up to 1.80 metres high. Volunteers with rubber dinghies are constantly at the disposal of people who need to go and retrieve something from the flooded houses.
- Have the authorities communicated with those affected in the area?
"They say there is still danger. In the meantime, by connecting to a generator from the centre, the power has been reconnected. With some colleagues, my son-in-law is organising water lifting pumps. Residents are getting organised. Then a lot of volunteers came from Parma, from Reggio Emilia, from Mantua. A lot of young guys who came here to roll up their sleeves, working with their whole bodies in the mud, going into the houses to provide rescue with diving suits".
- It's fair to say that the population is showing great strength.
"Absolutely. Despite this drama that we are all experiencing, especially those who live on the other side of the Faentina, I have not seen anyone cry. I have not seen a single tear here, but a great desire to work. There is so much determination.
I am not from Fornace Zarattini, I came to live there twenty years ago, but I can absolutely say that the people of Fornace Zarattini have an enviable temperament: even though their houses are completely submerged, even though they have to cope with I don't know how much economic and moral damage, they don't give up.
When we had to leave the house, my daughter and I, together with my three grandchildren and my three pets, went to a hotel, Hotel Mattei, where they were very nice, they offered us hospitality without charging us anything. They treated us very well, gave us beautiful rooms, lunch and dinner. Even at the first reception centre, the volunteers treated us very well, some took care of the children, some took care of my dogs. On a human level it was a very profound experience. Apart from this, the economic drama is unfortunately there, but on a human level I saw so much desire to help. It's important for the authorities to get involved now".
Cherry blossoms in Italy 2025: the best places to visit
Cherry blossoms, known as "fiori di ciliegio" in Italian, are admired for their beauty and symbolism in Italy. While Italy may not be as famous for its cherry blossoms as countries like Japan, there are still several regions where these delicate flowers bloom, offering stunning displays during the springtime.
The 3 best natural spas in Valle d'Aosta, Italy
Valle d'Aosta in Italy is one of the most captivating destinations for those seeking a rejuvenating spa experience. Surrounded by natural beauty and thermal springs, the region encircled by the Alps offers more than one option for those looking to relax and recharge. Discover some of the best and most famous spas in Valle d'Aosta, where you can soak in a hot bath while touching the snow with your hands.
Ideas for renovating your home in Italy: tips and inspirations for every need
Buying a home in Italy and renovating it to suit your family's needs is a decision that should never be taken lightly. It’s all too easy to go from feeling overwhelmed to achieving complete satisfaction. This is because navigating the right approach to managing the renovation process without losing your sanity can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll offer simple ideas for renovating your home, breaking down each step you can take to turn your house into the home of your dreams.
Venice Carnival 2025: all the traditions and the full programme
The Venice Carnival is one of the most iconic and renowned events in the world. With its traditional masks, lavish costumes, and a unique atmosphere that captivates the entire city, it is one of the most beautiful carnival celebrations in the world. If you want to take part this year, here’s everything you need to know about the Venice Carnival 2025 and how to plan your visit.
Carnival in Italy 2025: the best and most famous places to celebrate
Carnival in Italy is a vibrant and lively celebration held in the weeks leading up to Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection before Easter. As its dates are determined by the lunar calendar, Carnival varies each year but typically falls in February or March. When is Carnival in Italy in 2025? This year Carnival is Italy will take place during the last 2 weeks of February and in some cases in March as well.
Valentine's Day in Italy, Spain and Portugal: history and traditions
The countdown is on for Valentine's day 2025, celebrated all over the world on 14th February, and we're getting in the mood for the most romantic day of the year.
The Italian cities with the worst air quality according to Legambiente
The year 2030 is fast approaching, marking a significant shift in environmental sustainability within EU member states. Yet, according to Legambiente, there is still much to be done in Italy. The Mal'Aria 2025 report lists the worst Italian cities for air quality, identifying 25 cities that exceeded the legal limits for PM10 over the past 12 months. Here’s the list.