The Storm Adam brought severe thunderstorms to Sardinia on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 20, causing flooding and disruption from Sassari and Alghero to Siniscola, Posada, Orosei and Oristano. Rain began in several areas at around 3:30 p.m., turning a number of roads into torrents and forcing the evacuation of some ground-floor homes in Baronia.
The most serious emergency was reported along the eastern coast, between Siniscola, Posada and Orosei, where roads were flooded and water reached some homes. Four Fire Service crews responded, supported by personnel specialising in river and flood rescue. Other teams equipped to deal with flooding emergencies were on their way from the Sassari and Cagliari commands.
Rescuers focused on getting people to safety and responding to the most critical situations. The afternoon’s tally showed 97 calls awaiting response in the Nuoro area, while incoming requests continued to keep crews busy across the region.
In the Sassari area, a cloudburst hit the city at around 3:30 p.m., flooding roads in the industrial zone of Predda Niedda. In Alghero, water flooded the carriageway on viale Primo Maggio, where manhole covers were also reported to have been dislodged in several places. Local police intervened to manage traffic and protect motorists.
In Oristano, heavy rain flooded Piazza Pintus, via Ricovero and sections of via Sardegna and via Vandalino Casu. The livestock market was also underwater, causing difficulties for traffic and residents; in some cases, water entered homes. Disruption was also reported in the nearby Quartiere delle Regioni.
Because of the risk posed by thunderstorms, the regional Civil Protection agency issued a moderate risk alert with an orange code for Logudoro. A yellow code, indicating an ordinary level of risk, was issued for Iglesiente, Campidano, Montevecchio-Pischinappiu, Flumendosa-Flumineddu, Tirso and Gallura. In Sassari, the municipal authority had published a notice valid until 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20; an earlier alert notice had warned of thunderstorms expected in the city.