At least 4 dead as Storm Hans batters Italy and France
At least 4 people died in Italy and France as Storm Hans battered the countries with heavy rains, floods, and snow since Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Many areas in lowland Italy have received over 300–500 mm (12–20 inches) of rainfall, triggering landslides and causing rivers to swell, while heavy snow in the Alps has caused avalanches in France.
Flooding in Rubiana,Turin in Italy on April 17, 2025. Image credit: Weather Monitor
Heavy rains associated with Storm Hans have been affecting northern Italy since Wednesday, April 16, causing floods and landslides in several regions.
Piedmont, Liguria, Lombardy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the neighboring region of Carinthia are among the hardest-hit areas.
Lowland areas of Italy recorded 300–500 mm (12–20 inches) of rainfall over a 48-hour period between Wednesday and Thursday, April 17.
A 92-year-old man was found dead in Turin on Thursday after becoming trapped in his home in Monteu da Po during the flooding. He is believed to have drowned after floodwaters entered the residence.
At least three people have died due to severe weather conditions in Italy. A father and son, aged 65 and 34, were found dead in the Trissino flood basin after their car was swallowed by a sinkhole in Valdagno.
The bodies were recovered by firefighters just hours apart on Friday, April 18, following an overnight search after the pair were reported missing on Thursday evening, April 17.
Severe flooding hits Rubiana in Turin, Italy due to intense rainfall on April 17, 2025. https://t.co/UwT1fESIIu pic.twitter.com/wypVHyESg4
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 17, 2025
Authorities declared a State of Emergency in Piedmont. In the Aosta Valley, on the border with France, over 7 000 households in 37 municipalities were left without power.
According to early estimates, the damage caused by the storm in Piedmont could amount to tens of millions of euros, according to Marco Gabusi, the regional councillor for Civil Protection.
“Heavy rain has already caused landslides, flooding, evacuations and, unfortunately, the collapse of a bridge – this is a situation that demands the utmost attention,” Gabusi said.
Currently, massive floodwaters on the streets of Rubiana, Italy, following severe weather conditions. The streets have been transformed into muddy streams, causing significant disruption in the area. pic.twitter.com/hRe2RXJsrs
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 17, 2025
More than 700 firefighters are working on the ground, dealing with floodwaters, clearing fallen trees, and securing areas affected by landslides, particularly around Turin.
A Red Alert is in place for the River Po, which may overflow at the border between Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna after rising nearly 5 m (16 feet) in just 24 hours between Thursday and Friday, April 18. The flood is expected to pass through Emilia with water levels approaching alert level three.
Storm Hans has also affected other parts of Europe, depositing over 100 cm (40 inches) of snow in the western Alps in Italy, Switzerland, and France. Avalanche warnings reached level 5 in areas of France, such as Chamonix, following heavy snowfall.
A British man was found buried in the snow in front of a ski resort in Val Thorens, Savoie prefecture, after being swept away by an avalanche. He was transported to Grenoble Hospital by emergency services, where he was declared dead on Friday morning.
Today, avalanche Hits Savoie After Intense Snowfall
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) April 17, 2025
Savoie, France, has experienced a significant avalanche following an exceptional weather event. Over the last 24 hours, the region received more than 1 meter of snow, creating dangerous conditions in the mountain areas. pic.twitter.com/vAMDte9VX8
In Switzerland, snow disrupted road and rail transport and left several areas in the canton of Valais without power. Schools in the region were closed on Thursday as a precautionary measure.
In Zermatt, authorities established emergency meeting points to distribute essential supplies amid ongoing power outages, according to local sources. Local media reported that snowfall of this intensity has not been recorded in central Valais in April since 1976.
References:
1 Severe weather in Italy leaves at least three dead, heavy snow reported in the Alps – Euro News – April 18, 2025
2 Flooding in Northern Italy: Severe Floods Claim Lives –Vienna.at – April 18, 2025
3 British man, 27, is swept 50ft to his death in an avalanche at top French ski resort after ‘exceptional’ snow storm – Daily Mail – April 18, 2024
Rishav is a skilled researcher specializing in extreme and severe weather reporting. He combines exceptional research capabilities with scientific precision to deliver clear, data-driven articles. Known for uncovering critical information, Rishav ensures his work is accurate, insightful, and impactful. His passion for both science and literature fuels his dedication to producing high-quality news articles. You can reach him at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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