Italy - Cinque Terre disaster - Vernazza & Monterosso nearly destroyed

Sad news from the Cinque Terre. Massive flooding there last Tuesday has essentially destroyed Vernazza and Monterosso. I just learned about it via Rick Steves' email newsletter. Lots of photos and more info for you there:

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/cinque-terre-floods.htm

So sad. I was in the Cinque Terre in March and stayed in Vernazza. What a beautiful town...and the townspeople were even more beautiful and kind.

I do hope they rebuild. I'd love to return to the warmth of that region again soon.

Bryan

This is terribly sad news. While Cinque Terre is irreplaceable, the entire Ligurian region is beautiful and I hope you will visit some of the other towns even if Monterosso and Vernazza are not fully rebuilt.

I live in Ovada (30 km from Genova). Do not go to this part of Italy. It is a disaster of major proportions. Several deaths today, landslides, etc. The deaths are weighing heavily on us all. I'm writing this as the river rises outside my home. The towns of Novi Ligure and Serravalle have been without drinking water today as the Scrivia river has flooded. I repeat to those of you headed to Cinque Terre, Genova and the surrounds - please change your plans, if possible. Aeroporto di Genova is closed. Godspeed to those in the zona. The rain shows no sign of letting up.

Please edit the title of this post, while the damage indeed appears severe it is far from "destroyed", as the links below indicate it's primarily an issue of things being covered in tons of mud and rock. It will take many months but the buildings are still standing and the towns are certainly intact.

http://savevernazza.com/?attachment_id=90

Please edit the title of this post, while the damage indeed appears severe it is far from "destroyed", as the links below indicate it's primarily an issue of things being covered in tons of mud and rock. It will take many months but the buildings are still standing and the towns are certainly intact.

http://savevernazza.com/?attachment_id=90

And your point would be what?

That reading the title of the post felt like a punch in the gut when I thought of the most beautiful town I've ever had the pleasure to visit reduced to a pile of rubble. I felt intense relief after looking at the photos and seeing that while there is a lot of damage, the town is still there and it will recover, though it will take time. I will do my part by visiting again as soon as it's practical and putting money into the local economy.

We are bracing for more bad weather and a rise in the water levels coupled with higher than expected tides from the sea. Tonight and tomorrow will be very critical. Thank you for your support. We really do need people to not forget about us. This natural disaster(coupled with our un-natural disaster named Berlusconi) has resulted in unimaginable suffering. The death toll is at eight known and the damage to the infrastructure and economy is yet to be determined. When we recover, you will be graciously welcomed. Your kind thoughts are what we need now.

grazie - david

This natural disaster(coupled with our un-natural disaster named Berlusconi) has resulted in unimaginable suffering.
While I'm a strong opponent of Berlusconi, it's really hard to understand how you can link this event to Berlusconi...
I believe you can rather add to the list of disasters the build-everything-everywhere&don't plan-ahead attitude of a number of citizens - yes, citizens, not only authorities. In Liguria and well as in any other area in Italy.

We've visited Cinque Terre three times over the past decade, and stayed a week on our most recent visit. I have been very saddened by the bad news and the possibility of more to come.

We're certainly thinking of you fine folks who live there. ^

very sad to see this event :(

Anyone knows how's the situation right now? I'm planning to visit the area next week.
Hope things are much better now. So unfortunate to hear about the floods

Any updates on how cleanup and repairs have progressed in Vernazza & Monterosso? I'm planning a trip for April, and may adjust my ideal itinerary if these two towns are full of construction sites & equipment.

Any updates on how cleanup and repairs have progressed in Vernazza & Monterosso? I'm planning a trip for April, and may adjust my ideal itinerary if these two towns are full of construction sites & equipment.

Found this:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-steves/a-fresh-start-a-rainbow-o_b_1209363.html?ref=travel#s617227

http://savevernazza.com/

http://savevernazza.com/latestupdates/

http://savevernazza.com/vernazza-january-21-2012/

Sad news from the Cinque Terre. Massive flooding there last Tuesday has essentially destroyed Vernazza and Monterosso. I just learned about it via Rick Steves' email newsletter. Lots of photos and more info for you there:

http://www.ricksteves.com/news/travelnews/cinque-terre-floods.htm

So sad. I was in the Cinque Terre in March and stayed in Vernazza. What a beautiful town...and the townspeople were even more beautiful and kind.

I do hope they rebuild. I'd love to return to the warmth of that region again soon.

Bryan


That's really sad :(

my stupid. i did not think to book the place for april. with all the riffraf out, i'm certain it is a delightful place to stay, and meet the locals.

for those wondering and worring, never fear, we have guaranteed payment hotels and plane tickets to BCN. cannot believe i booked easter sunday in bcn.

could go in july. what's the weather like in july?

The Statuesque Mrs RNE and I will be in Cinque Terre on May 7. After our return, I'll apprise you of conditions.

So how is Cinque Terre now?

Very little evidence of the flooding IMHO. The most evident result is the trail from Manarola to Corniglia being closed. Judging by the size of the landslide as seen from the water I think it will be awhile (if ever) before this section re-opens.

Seems like the only trail open is from Riomaggiore to Manarola per the official park site:

http://www.parconazionale5terre.it/sentieri_parco.asp?id_lingue=1


Can anyone confirm? I'm wondering if I should do 2 full days versus 1 full day at CT for an upcoming trip in March. Originally, I wanted to dedicate 1 full day to hiking and 1 full day to relaxing/keeping it low-key. I know there's other places to hike, but was pretty much interested in the coastal hike.

Any advice?

Does anyone know about any plans for what's going to be available in terms of trails this year?

I've got a trip coming up in late April/May that has 7 days to fill and Cinque Terre could be part of it, but if there's reconstruction hassle, I might just stop by for a day trip.