Bad Weather Hits Tuscany, Region on Orange Alert
Listen to the story
Severe weather has hit the Tuscany region of Italy, causing widespread damage.
During the night, thousands of lightning strikes were recorded across the area.
Strong winds also knocked down many trees, blocking roads in several places.
Because of the dangerous conditions, authorities issued an orange alert, which will stay in place until 6pm.
An orange alert warns people that weather conditions could be dangerous and asks them to be careful.
Forecasters say new thunderstorms are expected in the coming hours.
The storms have already caused power cuts affecting around six thousand homes and businesses, known as a blackout.
In the town of Grosseto, strong wind ripped the roof off a house.
Elsewhere in Tuscany, a fallen tree landed on the power lines that supply the city's tram network.
This kind of damage can stop trams from running normally.
Local media have published photos showing the destruction caused by the storms and strong winds.
Emergency teams are working to clear fallen trees and repair damaged power lines.
Residents have been advised to stay alert as more bad weather is expected to arrive soon.
Vocabulary10 words
- lightning
- a bright flash of light during a storm
- orange alert
- an official warning that dangerous weather is likely
- thunderstorm
- a storm with rain, wind, and lightning
- blackout
- a period with no electricity
- power lines
- wires that carry electricity from place to place
- tram
- a type of train that runs on tracks in city streets
- forecaster
- a person who predicts the weather
- authorities
- people or groups who officially manage a place
- residents
- people who live in a certain area
- damage
- harm caused to something
Quiz
Answer key
1. Strong wind and storms 2. Dangerous weather is possible 3. The power lines
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Severe weather has hit the _____ region of Italy, causing widespread damage.
During the night, thousands of _____ strikes were recorded across the area.
Strong winds also knocked down many _____, blocking roads in several places.
Authorities issued an _____ alert, which will stay in place until 6pm.
Forecasters say new _____ are expected in the coming hours.
The storms have caused power cuts affecting around six thousand homes, known as a _____.
In the town of Grosseto, strong wind ripped the _____ off a house.
A fallen tree landed on the power lines that supply the city's _____ network.
Emergency teams are working to clear fallen trees and repair damaged _____.