Saturday 23 November 2019

Fwd: 🌊 The flood that thankfully didn’t happen + Christmas preview




Year XV - November 2019 - Issue 261
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NEWS    EVENTS    ART+CULTURE    FOOD+WINE    LIFESTYLE    TRAVEL

The flood that thankfully didn't happen  


On Sunday morning, I woke to a roar. The river in Pontassieve had risen like I'd never seen it before, a brown dragon on the brink of a breakdown. Because of the 1966 flood that wrecked Florence, locals look to the river Sieve as an indicator of Arno antics downstream.

WhatsApp started to light up like via de' Tornabuoni's Christmas extravaganza:
Are you ok? Looks bad.
Have you seen this video of the Arno in Florence?
OMG. Is it going to flood in Florence?


The reality is that the authorities in Florence had their finger on the pulse from the get-go. The civil protection crew had measured the river flow throughout the night, making the decision to employ the just-opened Mensola discharge basin to keep the situation under control. Lessons have been learned, research conducted and action taken in the right direction, although there is always more that could be done as climate change continues its inexorable impact and the Arno reached its highest levels since 1992.

Your concern was palpable. Over 150,000 Florence lovers engaged with The Florentine via social media on Sunday through Facebook shares of video feed from a rooftop along lungarno degli Acciaiuoli, comments on our Instagram coverage and emails remembering (and fearing) the 1966 flood.

While Florence was fortunate, the Maremma is looking at agricultural losses to the tune of three million euro, Empoli embarks on a clean-up after flooding in the town centre and Massa Carrara is reeling in the aftermath of a whirlwind. Further afield, Venice wades in acqua alta, and the southern Italian city of Matera, currently the European Capital of Culture, has been devastated by flash floods. If you'd like to help Italy, the City of Venice is welcoming donations here.

Helen Farrell, editor-in-chief
IN HIGH WATER
Arno reaches highest levels in 27 years
On Sunday, November 17, Florence's river gave serious cause for concern as more than 62 millimetres of rain fell in 24 hours and winds blew up to 76 kilometres an hour.
Flood risk in Florence
What has been done in the last 50 years to minimize the risk of flooding in Florence? How great a risk is flooding to the city today? An article from the archives.
EVENTS
Best events of the week
The purrfect line-up this week with a cat festival in Pisa, Swan Lake at Teatro della Pergola and photography and cinema events you won't want to miss.
CHRISTMAS
It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas!
Christmas in Florence is a magical time of the year when elegant lights illuminate the cobblestone streets, trees take centre stage in city squares and nativity scenes emphasize the essence of the holiday season. This is The Florentine's guide to Christmas 2019 in Florence.
AILO Christmas Bazaar
Mark your diaries as the AILO Christmas Bazaar returns to the Tepidarium in the Giardino dell'Orticoltura this year on November 30 (3-6pm) and December 1 (10am-6pm).

 
Visit Florence this holiday season
Whether you've been here for days, months or years, one thing we can all agree on is that Florence is a beautiful city that everyone should see. From hotel discounts to festive tours and restaurant suggestions, give the gift of Florence this Christmas via DestinationFlorence.com.
LEARN
Dreaming of teaching English in Italy?
Have you ever dreamt of living in Italy instead of just visiting? English-speaking foreigners often consider teaching English when it comes to thinking about how to make an income while living their Italian dream. Sheila Corwin knows exactly what it takes to find a job teaching here. 
WOMEN ARTISTS IN FLORENCE
Now Available on Amazon.com

Next TF paper issue on December 5 (earlier for subscribers)

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