Floodwaters cover a street in Ponte di Debba, Italy, on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, as the Vicenza area was hit with more than 4 inches of rain. Defense Department schools at U.S. military bases in Vicenza were closed Wednesday as a result of the storm. (U.S. Army Garrison Italy)
AVIANO, Italy — A storm Wednesday that dumped more than 4 inches of rain on Vicenza prompted cancellation of activities at all Defense Department schools at U.S. military installations in the city.
There was no rain-related damage or flooding on Caserma Ederle or Caserma Del Din, but floodwaters in the city were causing road closures and traffic delays, U.S. Army Garrison Italy said in a statement.
As a result, workers at base facilities, including the health clinic, commissary, post office and vehicle registration had difficulty getting to work. That affected the level of service at those places Wednesday, according to the Army statement.
Vicenza base schools will remain shuttered Thursday, as officials decided to extend the closure. That applies to the youth programs SKIES, CYS and CDC/SAC.
In addition, the Vicenza exchange and commissary will shorten their open hours Thursday, operating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, the health and dental clinics are rescheduling Thursday appointments set for before 10 a.m. Appointments at or after 10 a.m. will happen as scheduled.
The decision to close all three of the on-base schools came shortly after local authorities announced the shutdown of Italian schools Wednesday, garrison spokesman Rick Scavetta said.
The garrison commander and DODEA officials agreed to close schools for safety purposes, Scavetta said. An update on what day school will reopen was expected later Wednesday.
A street in Ponte di Debba, Italy, is saturated Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, after 4 inches of rain fell on the Vicenza area. American military bases in Vicenza saw school closures and service disruptions Wednesday following the flooding. (U.S. Army Garrison Italy)
Classes were canceled at schools in Vicenza, Longare, Grumolo delle Abbadesse, Nanto, Castegnero, Torri di Quartesolo, Quinto Vicentino, Montegalda, Montegaldella and Arcugnano.
Another half-inch of rain was forecast through late Wednesday, according to the 7th Combat Weather Squadron at Caserma Del Din. The storms were expected to ease Thursday, but forecasts called for up to another inch of rain throughout Friday.
Meanwhile, DODEA schools in Aviano and at the Navy’s installation in Naples remained open Wednesday.
A thunderstorm warning was issued Wednesday for the areas of Camp Darby and Naval Support Activity Naples, but no decisions about delays or closures for Thursday had been announced as of late Wednesday afternoon.
Flooding in February was almost unheard-of in Italy 20 years ago, but climate change is making heavy rains in the wintertime less rare, meteorologist Marco Rabito told the newspaper Il Giornale di Vicenza.
Stars and Stripes reporter Alison Bath contributed to this report.
