Sicily and Calabria are once again on their knees due to yet another disturbance hitting Southern Italy. Cyclone Ulrike left no respite, causing extensive damage and widespread inconvenience throughout the area, hitting the two regions with gusts of wind up to 100 km/h, intense rain and storm surges.
Disturbances on roads and motorways
The main and secondary roads were the scene of fallen trees, unsafe poles and debris. In the province of Catania, in Milo and Sant’Alfio, trunks and shrubs blocked the roadways, while in Tremestieri Etneo a light pole collapsed in the road, causing temporary closures. The A18 Messina-Catania was also closed between Tremestieri and Giarre until safety was restored. In Palermo and Trapani, urban arteries were blocked by fallen trees and flooding, with interventions by the Fire Brigade and Civil Protection to guarantee traffic.
Damage to buildings and homes
In Mascali and Giardini Naxos, the strong wind caused partial collapses of school roofs and uprooted trees in public gardens, such as the Florence Trevelyan park in Taormina. In Palermo and Borgetto, trees fell on petrol stations and homes, causing blackouts and extensive material damage.
Many areas, including Camaro Superiore and Forte Petrazza, remained without electricity for hours. In Trapani, a large tree fell into a condominium courtyard, damaging two cars and a scooter. Fortunately there were no injuries, but the material damage was significant.
Between Trapani and Catania, the Fire Brigade carried out over 150 interventions between 12 and 13 February, removing fallen trees, unsafe poles and torn sheets of metal. Additional teams from Enna and Civil Protection volunteers worked tirelessly to secure homes, roads and public infrastructures.
Storm surges and closures along the coast
On the coasts of western and eastern Sicily, between Marausa, Stagnone di Marsala and Capo Calavà, the stormy sea brought debris and water onto the roads, with damage to the seafront and pedestrian paths while the Fire Brigade secured poles and billboards threatened by the wind. In Petrosino, Lungomare Biscione was closed for safety, as were some areas of Lipari, Gioiosa Marea and Venetico, where vehicular and pedestrian transit was prohibited.
School closures and mayoral orders
To protect the population, several mayors have ordered preventive closures of schools, villas, gardens, cemeteries and playgrounds. In Palermo, Ragusa, Milazzo and Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, the decision also included a ban on outdoor activities and the suspension of public events. In some cities, such as Messina, the orange alert has forced a ban on parking near tree-lined areas or unstable structures, while keeping schools open.
In Trapani, the mayor Giacomo Tranchida extended the prevention measures for the days of 13, 14 and 15 February 2026, imposing: the closure of villas, gardens and municipal cemetery, the prohibition on carrying out outdoor activities under trees or suspended loads, and theprohibition of vehicular and pedestrian circulation in areas with trees at risk of falling, while guaranteeing access for residents and emergency vehicles.
In addition, they are prohibited access and transit along piers, cliffs, piers and unmanned port areas, with a ban on approaching coastal areas subject to erosion or marine intrusion. The the weekly market in Piazzale Ilio will remain suspended and traders must ensure the correct anchoring of mobile structures, scaffolding and tents. Construction sites will be subjected to immediate checks on the stability and anchoring of cranes, scaffolding and equipment to prevent risks to public safety.
Chaos at airports: flights diverted and cancelled
There are also many inconveniences to flights. In Trapani Birgi, Ryanair flights from Turin and Bologna were diverted to Palermo, while the evening connection from Pantelleria was cancelled. In Reggio Calabria, two flights coming from Barcelona and Milan Malpensa were diverted to Catania. In Palermo and Catania, other international and national flights were delayed and diverted, creating chaos in the main Sicilian airports.
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