Violent Storm Hits Forlì, Italy, Uprooting Trees and Flooding Streets
Listen to the story
A violent storm struck the city of Forlì, in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, on August 21, 2026.
The storm lasted only about ten minutes but caused serious damage across the city.
Local media described the event as "ten minutes of hell," with wind gusts of over 100 kilometers per hour.
These strong gusts destroyed many trees, an event one newspaper called a "massacre of trees."
Firefighters received around 300 requests for help during and after the storm.
The heavy rain also caused flooding in parts of the city, with water covering streets and buildings.
In addition, the storm caused power outages, leaving some areas without electricity.
Small aircraft at a local airport were reportedly overturned by the powerful winds.
This storm was part of a wider wave of severe weather across the Emilia-Romagna region.
Several nearby towns also reported fallen trees and storm damage.
News reports said the storms have "broken" the summer, meaning they suddenly ended a period of hot, calm weather.
Emergency teams are continuing to clear debris and repair damage caused by the storm.
Local authorities have not yet given a final report of the total damage or costs.
Vocabulary10 words
- storm
- very bad weather with strong wind and heavy rain
- gusts
- sudden strong movements of wind
- flooding
- when water covers land that is usually dry
- power outages
- times when electricity stops working
- region
- a large area of a country
- debris
- broken pieces left after damage
- aircraft
- a machine that flies, like a plane
- authorities
- people or groups in charge, like the government
- severe
- very bad or serious
- emergency teams
- groups of workers who help during dangerous events
Quiz
Answer key
1. About ten minutes 2. It overturned small planes 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A violent _____ struck the city of Forlì, in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, on August 21, 2026.
The storm lasted only about ten minutes but caused serious _____ across the city.
Local media described the event as "ten minutes of hell," with wind _____ of over 100 kilometers per hour.
These strong gusts destroyed many trees, an event one newspaper called a "massacre of _____."
Firefighters received around _____ requests for help during and after the storm.
The heavy rain also caused _____ in parts of the city, with water covering streets and buildings.
In addition, the storm caused power _____, leaving some areas without electricity.
Small _____ at a local airport were reportedly overturned by the powerful winds.
This storm was part of a wider wave of severe weather across the Emilia-Romagna _____.
Emergency teams are continuing to clear _____ and repair damage caused by the storm.