We've seen reports of a horrible flood that took place in Matera on 18 or 19 November 2019. We've seen videos on Facebook of floodwaters rushing down the Sassi streets several feet high. Can anyone tell me what damage was done by them? Are the homes and businesses washed out? We're planning on visiting in late January 2020 and wonder what we will find.
Thank you for any information.
We will be there in March and I am concerned as well. I could not find much information other than one video showing water running down a narrow street. I checked the website for the hotel where I have made a reservation and they do not mention any problems. I am thinking of sending an email.
I will keep watching here to see if others have more information.
No Italian paper has written again About damages or problems in Matera. Cleaning a street after a flooding takes a couple of days, maybe a couple of weeks, not months. In fact in the following days they have closed the street in the video to cars, not to pedestrians.
The Mayors in the area did not file a formal request for Emergency funds from Rome.
Thank you, Dario. That is helpful.
After seeing those videos, I contacted a local guide we had a couple of years ago. He told me the damage was limited and that the videos made it look worse than it was because the streets and staircases were build to funnel the water like that. The hotel we stayed at, Locanda di San Martino, also said they experienced minimal damages. By the way, I would highly recommend Locanda di San Martino. So, I would say go the Matera; it is a very different and interesting place. I would also recommend Antonio with Matera Tour Guide. Matera is a place that I think is best seen with a local guide, then toured on your own. Buon Viaggio!
I have visited Italy 4 times in the past 6 years and it is Matera that I found most fascinating. I strongly suggest you read Christ Stopped at Eboli before leaving. This town goes from "the shame of Italy" 1952, to the European Cultural Capital in 2019. The book gives you the true picture, what a story! And, I too, strongly recommend a guided tour. We had the granddaughter of resident from the 1930's, extremely moving. Happy travels.
I happened upon this article which says that shortly after the flood, a request for aid was being requested. Does that mean that there was, in fact, significant damage?
"The Matera city council has now approved a resolution requesting the recognition of a state of emergency and natural disaster "due to the exceptional atmospheric events of 11 and 12 November", with the Sassi districts flooded with mud and debris."
"The mayor, Raffaello De Ruggieri, estimated the financial cost of the damage at €8 million and stressed that "the situation in the city has returned to normal: the wave of bad weather has however created difficulties that are hard to overcome with the ordinary budget of Matera city council".
