I was woken early this morning by a strange noise. When I got out of bed I saw that all the lights were off in the village and a howling wind was roaring along the river.
There wasn’t much I could do except pull the shutters closed and go back to bed. I didn’t sleep though, there were loud crashes and bangs that continued until dawn.
At Ponte a Serraglio there seemed to be little damage except that many roofs had their tiles blown to the road.
La Villa, however, is another story. Huge trees have fallen on rooftops, the streets were absolutely covered with broken terra cotta tiles and branches.
The beautiful park has been devastated. Some of the uprooted trees were hundreds of years old and can never be replaced.
Here is some of the damage.
We still have no power and phone and it is difficult to know how widespread the damage is. I hope to find out more over the next few days.
Wow, how frightening! I hope you get power back soon!
By: becktours on March 5, 2015
at 6:12 pm
It was very scary. I hope everyone is OK.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:38 pm
Please keep us up to date.
By: becktours on March 5, 2015
at 6:46 pm
Glad all is well for you. Somehow that kind of weather terrifies me more when it is around such precious old buildings and ancient treasures.. hopefully it does not come back.. c
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on March 5, 2015
at 6:14 pm
Nobody can recall it happening before. I don’t want to ever see it again.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:39 pm
Hopefully not.. it sounded awful..
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on March 5, 2015
at 6:43 pm
Oh no! I can’t believe the photos. Hope nobody was hurt. Very sad to see the park in such a bad shape……..
By: Moira Drexler on March 5, 2015
at 6:15 pm
People have been hurt, but it is difficult to get details.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:39 pm
Terrible Death of a Man from the Garfagnana on the Lodovica Road which was then closed
All the traffic had to use the ss12
Hours of traffic.
Drivers were very patient and calm..
By: Anonymous on March 5, 2015
at 10:14 pm
Devastating. I hope much help will go out to them in recovery efforts. Very sad to see this situation.
By: dianepkk on March 5, 2015
at 6:16 pm
Everyone was out for the clean up today. I hope we get power soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:40 pm
Oh dear Debra. I hope you get your power and phone back soon.
By: Cathy Powell on March 5, 2015
at 6:23 pm
Yes, it makes life difficult without them.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:40 pm
oh no! i hope everyone is safe.
By: carol on March 5, 2015
at 6:25 pm
Everyone I know is OK, which is great.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:41 pm
What a sad situation, glad you’re OK….
By: suej on March 5, 2015
at 6:29 pm
It is a mess. I hope things return to normal soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:41 pm
Amazing pictures…we arrived last night……torrential rains at pisa airport and here in LuccA…..beautiful day through today. See you soon
By: sealights99 on March 5, 2015
at 6:31 pm
I was in Lucca this morning, at the Questura. We will catch up soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:42 pm
Gosh, I do hope everyone is OK, and that the damage can be dealt with quickly.
Do many people in Italy have house insurance?
By: Yvonne on March 5, 2015
at 6:33 pm
I really don’t know how popular insurance is. I hope people are covered.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:43 pm
So sad. We were there, years ago. Beautiful town.
By: Sue Packel on March 5, 2015
at 6:37 pm
It is very sad. I hope there is not too much damage.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:44 pm
Forty one year old man was killed. I guess we can be grateful if there were no other deaths or injuries but the devastation is awful.
By: dianepkk on March 5, 2015
at 6:42 pm
I think there was another death on the Diecimo road. I hope there are no more.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 6:46 pm
Oh so sorry to hear this and see these pictures! Glad you are ok and hope noone was injured. Let me know if hear if surrounding villages affected!
By: Melonie Carideo on March 5, 2015
at 7:00 pm
As soon as I hear more I will let you know.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 5, 2015
at 7:02 pm
Really terrible, but glad to hear that you are fine. Haven’t heard from our neighbours, but I guess that power and phones are still out. Not terribly worried about the mill. It has been standing for the past 500 years, so it will survive… We do hope that there will not be too many victims and it is a tragedy to see the beautiful old trees at Contessa Casalini Park destroyed. They cannot be easily replaced and they were gorgeous. Keep safe! And keep us informed, please….
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 5, 2015
at 7:03 pm
Villa Ada and Circolo have been damaged. La Villa has been badly hit. Many villages are still without power and roads are cut. The church at Corsena has had a tree fall on its roof. I will let you know what I find out as I do.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:48 am
Nowhere is safe anymore, sorry to see the damage and hear of a death. Having experienced cyclone Tracy in Darwin I hate to hear wind and always rush around checking windows etc. The lovely statue and tower seem to have escaped the wrath. Thinking of you.
By: tastetravel on March 5, 2015
at 7:35 pm
The park has been devastated and will never be the same. Many buildings have had roof damage, I hope they have insurance. The world has gone mad.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:49 am
Very sad. Mother Nature !!!! I hope all will be OK
By: Lyn on March 5, 2015
at 7:36 pm
It is lucky there was not more loss of life. The villages will recover.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:49 am
I hope that Bianca is OK and also The Bridge Hotel. I’ll be coming up for only a day on March 29 to see them and spend a night. I’m bringing a lady for a 10 day tour of a few cities so I have very little time for myself.
Joan
By: Joan Castrucci Marceau on March 5, 2015
at 8:21 pm
I saw Bianca this morning and she is fine. Most of the damage seems to be a La Villa. I hope repairs can be done quickly.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:51 am
So devastating to see. I have lived thru several hurricanes, including Sandy in NJ. It is always heart breaking. And very frightening. Hopefully no one was hurt. But do not despair, even though you can’t feel it now, things will get back to normal and the village will rise.
By: Derin Gemignani on March 5, 2015
at 8:31 pm
Things don’t happen quite as quickly and efficiently as they do in America or Australia, but I hope things will be back on track soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:52 am
There is no stopping mother nature. you must have thought that you were back in Qld and the cyclone season! Thinking of everyone there, take care.
By: Kirsi Säde on March 5, 2015
at 8:41 pm
It was a truly weird noise and there was nothing to do but watch and wait.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:53 am
So relieved you and your property all okay. One forgets how vicious European storms can be ,because we get so many nasty summer storms here. Glad to see the lady statue in the fountain is still perfect. Shame about some of those very old and magnificent trees. As long as no one was hurt, the mess can be cleared. Take care.
By: Dianne Cant on March 5, 2015
at 9:06 pm
People have been hurt and there has been lots of damage, but it will take a while to know the extent.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:53 am
How disastrous – many people from the village have posted the same scenes on Facebook – it all looks terrible – but at least you have the Internet – keep us posted
By: Liz Litzow on March 5, 2015
at 9:39 pm
Some places are still without power, but I hope services will be fixed soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:54 am
How strange to have a tornado in winter. Sorry to hear about the destruction. It is always sad to lose trees.
By: thirdeyemom on March 5, 2015
at 9:53 pm
I don’t think anything like this has happened here before.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:54 am
Wow, that is really crazy.
By: thirdeyemom on March 9, 2015
at 8:05 pm
Keep safe. The damage looks terrible. I hope my cousins are ok.
Dina
By: dinac16 on March 5, 2015
at 10:28 pm
It is difficult to get reliable news of the damage and injuries, but it seems to be mostly property damage.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:56 am
Glad to hear you’re ok Debra, hope everyone else is fine. How is our old building looking?
By: Richard Hutley on March 5, 2015
at 10:53 pm
There may be some tiles off the roof as there were some on the road below, but the building looks OK.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:57 am
thanks Debra
By: extownie on March 6, 2015
at 9:06 am
OMG Deb….is this a freak tornado? Is this sort of weather usual at this time of year??? We’re having a heat wave here in Brisbane, so unusual for March!! Very strange….anyway, take care and bunker down. Thinking of you! What a shock it must be to everyone…..hope the authorities are able to assist. Bring on the Spring!!!!
R
By: Paris Rendez-Vous and Beyond on March 5, 2015
at 11:00 pm
This is a very unusual thing to happen here at any time of the year. I certainly hope it never happens again.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:58 am
Weather in eveerywhere seems so strange dear Debra, we lived something like that a few month ago in here too. It is not usual. But I am glad you are fine. I hope it never comes again. Trees make me so sad when this happens… Thank you, love, nia
By: niasunset on March 5, 2015
at 11:06 pm
It was a very frightening thing to see. I hope never to see it again.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:58 am
I can imagine dear Debra, it makes me always worried. I hope not again. Have a nice day and weekend, love, nia
By: niasunset on March 6, 2015
at 10:48 am
It’s surely reasonable to presume that the recent arrival of Paul & Nicolet into Ponte a Serraglia , may well have provided the bazaar cosmic weather interlude you have just experienced — there may well be a God after all —-
By: Richard the terrible on March 5, 2015
at 11:11 pm
You will have to blame just Paul…I will let him know your thoughts.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:59 am
How sad there is so much destruction. Nature is so unpredictable.
By: rosemaryhr on March 5, 2015
at 11:19 pm
This is crazy weather. I have never seen anything like it.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 8:59 am
Happy to hear you are safe Debra and hope your friends came through unscathed.
By: Donna & Audrey Mead on March 6, 2015
at 12:07 am
Thank you for thinking of me. All is well in our village, but I feel for the others.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:00 am
Stay safe Debra. Hope there are no serious injuries and that the commune get it cleaned up quickly. Did any of the nearby villages have any damage or was it localised?
By: Jim & Kerry on March 6, 2015
at 12:09 am
Several of the villages have been damaged, but it is not easy to get news yet.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:00 am
Hi Deb,
How frightening!
Prayers are with you all for big clean up. Big winds and damage in Florence also. Just in time for my arrival on Friday!! Let me know if you happen to chance my way.
Leticia
By: leticiakondos on March 6, 2015
at 12:32 am
I have heard that Florence was damaged, I hope not too badly. I will definitely come to Florence to see you.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:01 am
I am heartsick about the ancient beautiful trees being toppled and the other terrible damages to homes and village….and especially for those who lost loved ones. What an aberration! No one could have imagined. The picture of the sculptured woman standing in the fountain among the devastation is so poignant yet so beautiful.
By: Barbara Chase on March 6, 2015
at 12:36 am
I hope the poor little park can be brought back to life. It will never be the same.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:02 am
How awful and terrifying for you Debra. I’m glad you have your electricity back.
By: Gerlinde on March 6, 2015
at 12:58 am
It is amazing how much we rely on electricity to get by. Our power is back now.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:03 am
Glad your OK … and positive thoughts for those in need.
By: aFrankAngle on March 6, 2015
at 2:09 am
There will be a lot of people in need of help. I hope they get it.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:04 am
Really sad to see those lovely old trees uprooted, Debra. The tiles can be replaced, but not the trees. Hope your power is now restored. Thanks for the photos. xx
By: anotherday2paradise on March 6, 2015
at 2:46 am
I heard that 3 of the trees were brought from Australia by ship 200 years ago.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:04 am
Oh my! So glad you are doing ok! Sad to see so much damage though. Those trees….what a pity!
By: Roberta Briffa on March 6, 2015
at 6:13 am
I hate to see those beautiful old trees destroyed.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:05 am
I imagine the dreaded trees that block the view to Ponte survived?
By: Nicolet on March 7, 2015
at 12:16 pm
So glad you are safe. Looks like there were lots of narrow misses.
By: The Daily Cure on March 6, 2015
at 6:53 am
It was lucky it happened in the middle of the night. There would have been much more damage on the roads if it had been a few hours later.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 9:05 am
So sad to see all this wrath of God is it one wonders however it is all documented in the Bible who knows what a shame! In the UK some smaller trees were saved after being uprooted can be done but still new trees can be planted will take years though to restablish the Look of things! Thanks for documenting the terrible event! Glad to hear you are ok!
By: alexandrapettitt on March 6, 2015
at 10:35 am
This is just nature, nothing to do with God or the bible. I hope things can be returned to normal soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:34 pm
I hope you are well and that all of your friends are OK too. I read your post with a sense of disbelief. Is the clean-up process starting or is it too early yet for that? I can imagine there are a lot of worried people over there right now, and that is completely understandable.
By: chris oconnor on March 6, 2015
at 11:19 am
The clean up stated in some places almost immediately. The streets in La Villa are all clean and the park is being cleaned now.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:37 pm
Such a sad thing that people died and so sad to see those big trees destroyed. One grieves for the loss of trees as well.
By: Jan on March 6, 2015
at 12:12 pm
Considering the force of the wind, it is amazing that there was not more loss of life.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:34 pm
This is terrible news Deb. Thinking of everyone in the village. Glad you are safe.
By: Anonymous on March 6, 2015
at 12:39 pm
It is a beautiful day today. Apart from the mess, you wonder that it ever happened.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:35 pm
Hear that the sun is shining and renewal is in the air! So glad to hear from my friends there. The people of Bagni di Lucca area are hearty souls who will work hard to get things back to order. I have full faith that things will be looking up in no time at all.
Tuscany got hit hard but hopefully it is over.
By: dianepkk on March 6, 2015
at 2:47 pm
This is terrible news Deb. Thinking of everyone in the village and the surrounding areas. Glad that you are safe.
By: Wendy Bradford on March 6, 2015
at 12:42 pm
Things look a bit better today. I hope everyone gets back to normal soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:37 pm
I am so sorry to hear this but glad that you are alright. It must have been so scary for the people of La Villa. I hope there was no loss of life.
By: paninigirl on March 6, 2015
at 2:33 pm
If it had happened in daylight hours there would have been lots of people hurt with the flying tiles, but it was mostly property damage and lots of trees down
By: Debra Kolkka on March 6, 2015
at 2:39 pm
Hey, congratulations , I just read the results of the Italy Blog Awards. Well done, Debra.
By: Yvonne on March 6, 2015
at 3:30 pm
Runner up is better than nothing I suppose.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2015
at 3:25 pm
So sorry to hear how torn apart La Villa and all surrounding villages. Wishing everyone resilience and strength. Glad you are okay and you have power. How unusual to experience this tornado. Changing weather patterns everywhere- how scary.
By: meditatingmummy on March 7, 2015
at 12:00 am
It was a freak storm. Let’s hope they are very rare.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2015
at 3:25 pm
Sad sad sad
By: Francis on March 7, 2015
at 12:47 am
I’m pleased you have your power back.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2015
at 3:26 pm
Oh Debra that is so devastating. at least you were not hurt. cant believe the statue was intact with all the broken trees around it.
By: Anonymous on March 7, 2015
at 2:01 am
With the number of trees that have fallen, it is amazing how few actually hit structures.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2015
at 3:27 pm
Best wishes to everyone involved in the clean up. If we were there we’d be out helping.
By: chris oconnor on March 7, 2015
at 11:16 am
The most urgent cleaning is already done. The tree clearance will take a while.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2015
at 3:28 pm
Oh my! That looks nasty Debra. Glad you got away lightly. Take care and stay safe.
By: Madhu on March 9, 2015
at 6:09 pm
We were very lucky. It was incredible to watch.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2015
at 5:38 pm
Just caught up on your blog and was devastated to hear about this horrible storm! I had no idea that the area was hit by a tornado. I’m glad to hear that you are OK, but sad to hear about all the damage. Does this happen often there? I wouldn’t think so….I feel that the weather all over the world has been so freaky, lately. When we were in Venice last month, it was actually warm at times…so unusual for February! And here in California, we have had one of the warmest winters on record. What is going on? I hope that things return to normal fairly quickly (sounds like they are heading that way). Good luck!
By: tesorotreasures on March 12, 2015
at 5:16 pm
Nobody here can recall it ever happening before. Apparently there is a record of something similar in the 1600s. I hope that it doesn’t happen again.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 12, 2015
at 5:37 pm
[…] di Lucca was hit by a freak tornado in March, not long after I arrived. The noise of the wind was terrifying in the middle of the […]
By: A year of travel | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on December 26, 2015
at 1:18 pm