by InTrieste
A day after torrential rains forced evacuations in this seaside town on the Adriatic coast, regional officials announced an initial emergency allocation of €250,000 to address public infrastructure damage.
Riccardo Riccardi, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional councillor for civil protection, confirmed the measure following a meeting at city hall and an inspection of Pino Mare campsite in Lignano Riviera, one of the areas hit hardest by the storm. The campsite is currently housing more than 2,600 people, including many who were temporarily displaced.
“The conditions in the town are nearly restored,” Mr. Riccardi said, noting that evacuated residents are still lodged in hotels but are expected to return gradually to their bungalows. The municipality is preparing a full damage assessment, though initial estimates suggest costs near the same €250,000 figure. The regional decree will make funds immediately available to allow repairs on public structures to begin.
The region has also pledged to cover the costs of temporary accommodation for displaced families. Officials said discussions are underway on longer-term interventions designed to reduce the risk of similar flooding in the future. Among the vulnerabilities identified were bottlenecks in the hydraulic system along the regional highway 354 and former provincial road, as well as insufficient pumping and drainage infrastructure in parts of Lignano Pineta and Lignano Riviera.
“With local operators, we will evaluate the feasibility of the proposed interventions, both technically and financially,” Mr. Riccardi said. “Our goal is to further raise the level of safety in Lignano against weather events that are increasingly frequent, more violent, and highly localized.” He pointed to rainfall data showing that 200 millimeters fell between Lignano and nearby Bibione in just 12 hours. Preventive works carried out in recent years, he added, helped limit the damage.
Mr. Riccardi also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, noting joint efforts with neighboring Veneto in both emergency management and long-term hydraulic planning. “These projects are carried out together, without competition, with the shared goal of ensuring the safety of citizens and communities,” he said.
