(ANS - Alassio)- Liguria is the Italian region between Piedmont and the sea. Don Bosco visited it several times and the Salesian presence there is linked to historic houses, such as Alassio, Varazze and Genoa. Recently, the Riviera has suffered grave problems due to bad weather. Here is a report from Fr Luigi Bruno, Rector of Alassio, and Fr Joseph de Grandis, Rector of Vallecrosia.

by  Fabio Zenadocchio

What problems has the house in Alassio experienced?

When we got a level two weather alert, we knew there would be problems. The heavy rain caused the flooding of some streams near our house. One of them burst into the railway station and broke down the wall, broke into our house, flooding the chapel (to a depth of about 20 cm), as well as the boiler room, store and cellar.

Was anybody hurt?

Fortunately, no. With the level two weather alert we closed the school. Otherwise we would have had serious difficulties, since the road was severely damaged. We were isolated because of the flooding of the station and a landslide on the main Aurelia road.

Have you had an estimate of the damage?

Not yet. The floor of the chapel is badly damaged, as well as the heating plant. We are getting estimates to report the damage to the authorities, to try to get a refund.

Now what?       

The situation has been back to normal for several days, with the help of a group of workers from a firm that works for us and other volunteers. The weather is good now, but the forecast does not exclude further rain.

A difficult situation also in Vallecrosia.

Fr De Grandis says: "There has been some flooding, but no major damage. The play area is about 70 cm below the roadway, but we have a pump system that enablles us to cope in ordinary situations. Unfortunately, the day it rained most, there was no power for an hour, the pump did not work and we had 25 cm of water on the ground. We had to work really hard to get rid of the water, but thanks to the many volunteers we are now back to normal. The worst problems were in the basement. We had to call the Civil Defence to pump out the water. We have had problems with roofs, with major damage to the sacristy roof."

"It was not a particularly serious situation, at least in our area,” says Fr de Grandis. “We have learned from the far more serious flooding of 2006. We no longer put things on the ground floor to prevent their being water damaged. Unfortunately the sewer system in the two streets that border the house is damaged and when there is heavy rain they bring water and debris directly into our system.  

The mayor came to check the state of affairs during the flood, and we asked him to intervene. We have also asked for the help of the municipality to resolve the situation."

Published 21/11/2014