by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has declared a state of pre-alert across the entire region for the next 15 days as authorities prepare for a forecast of severe thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail and damaging winds expected to begin later Thursday.
The measure, announced through a decree signed by Civil Protection Councillor Riccardo Riccardi in agreement with Regional President Massimiliano Fedriga, is intended to accelerate emergency preparedness and allow operational teams to respond quickly to weather-related hazards.
Regional officials have also approved an emergency spending commitment totaling €1.3 million, pending formal ratification by the regional cabinet. The funding is aimed at reducing immediate risks to public safety and strengthening vulnerable areas before the storm system reaches its peak.
Of the total allocation, €1 million has been earmarked for urgent land stabilization projects and measures to mitigate hydrogeological instability, including work on slopes and erosion-prone terrain. The remaining funds will cover essential supplies, service contracts, routine maintenance of emergency vehicles, and operational costs for Civil Protection personnel and volunteers.
The decree also authorizes a €230,000 budget reallocation, giving the regional Civil Protection director flexibility to shift resources as conditions evolve during the emergency.
According to the latest regional weather alert, meteorological conditions have deteriorated since forecasts issued a day earlier. Storms are expected to develop from late Thursday afternoon and continue throughout Friday, with the potential for intense rainfall, large hail and powerful wind gusts across much of the region.
Civil Protection authorities warned that localized flooding could affect smaller waterways and urban drainage systems, while saturated ground may increase the risk of landslides and temporary road closures.
The pre-alert status places the regional emergency response system on heightened readiness, enabling coordination among operational agencies before severe weather poses direct risks to residents and infrastructure.
