An exceptional wave of bad weather has affected Italy especially in the central southern areas hit by heavy snowfalls, from early February 2012. From 8 February, the Head of the Civil Protection Department, Franco Gabrielli, has the task to coordinate at national level every necessary intervention to overcome the emergency.
\n\n"},"body":{"processed":"From 31 January, an exceptional wave of bad weather has affected Italy especially in the central southern areas hit by heavy snowfalls.
\nThe Civil Protection Department has followed the evolution of the scenario from the start. Local and national voluntary work of civil protection has been activated to support territorial protection activities and assistance to the population, in connection with the regional systems.
\nOn 8 February the President of the Council of Ministers has signed a decree to dispose the involvement of operating structures of the National Civil Protection Service to overcome the emergency. The Head of the Civil Protection Department, Franco Gabrielli, has the task of coordinating every necessary intervention at national level. The legal measure wa published on the Official Gazette n0. 36 of 13 February 2012.
\nOn 13 February the activities of the Operating Committee, gathered from 8 February to follow the situation and coordinate the interventions of the National Civil Protection, came to an end. Every situation not sorted out is still monitored and the Department is still in contact with the Regions until any criticality will be called off.
\nSnow emergency updates, press releases, legal measures and photos are published in this section.
\n"},"fields":{"slug":"/meteo-hydro/2012-snow-centre-south/"},"field_tabella":null,"relationships":{"field_sottodominio":{"name":"Emergenze"},"field_riferimento_traduzione":{"fields":{"slug":"/meteo-idro/neve-al-centro-sud-2012/"}},"field_immagine_singola":null,"field_mappa":null,"field_accordion":[],"field_tab":[],"field_immagine_dettaglio":null,"field_immagine_anteprima":null,"field_galleria_flickr":null,"field_galleria_foto":null,"field_galleria_video":null,"field_allegati":[],"field_correlazioni":[{"__typename":"node__approfondimento","title":"Snow and frost - Are you prepared?","field_titolo_esteso":"Snow and frost - Are you prepared?","body":{"processed":"Before
\n- It is wise to get the necessary equipment against snow and frost or check its condition: shovel and salt supplies are essential tools for your home or business.
\n- Pay attention to your car, which, in winter more than ever, must be ready to face snow and ice.
\n- Mount snow tires, recommended for winter travel in areas with low temperatures, or carry snow chains, preferably quick-fit.
\n- Do some trial fitting of chains; it's better to learn how to use them first than to find yourself in trouble under heavy snowfall.
\n- Check that there is antifreeze fluid in the radiator water.
\n- Check the condition of the battery and the efficiency of the wiper blades
\n- Don't forget to keep ignition cables, pliers, flashlight and work gloves in the car
During
\n- Check the load-bearing capacity of your building's roof (house, shed, or other structure). Accumulation of snow and ice could cause roof collapses.
\n- Take care to remove snow from your private access or driveway. Please don't throw it out into the street; you could get in the way of snow vehicles' work.
\n- Avoid using your car when it snows and leave it in the garage if you can. By decreasing traffic and the number of vehicles parked on roads and public areas, you will facilitate snow removal operations.
\n- If you are forced to take your car, follow these small rules:
• Clear the car entirely and not just the windows of snow.
\n• Keep your lights on to make yourself more visible on the road, maintain a low speed, and use low gears to avoid braking as much as possible. Instead, favor the use of engine braking.
\n• Avoid sharp maneuvers and sudden turns.
\n• Accelerate gently and increase the safety distance from the vehicle before you.
\n• Remember that when going uphill, it is crucial to proceed without ever stopping. Once stopped, it is difficult to restart, and forcing your car to stop can impede the transit of other vehicles.
\n• Park your car properly so that it does not obstruct the work of snow vehicles.
\n• Pay special attention to snow slabs that can come off the roofs, especially in the thawing phase.
\n• Do not use two-wheel vehicles.
After
\n- Remember that ice may form on roads and sidewalks after a snowfall. Pay attention to the road surface and drive with particular caution.
\n- If you are walking, carefully choose your shoes to avoid slips and falls and move cautiously.
\n- When winter is approaching, inform yourself about the developing weather situation by listening to the local or radio news.
Before
\r\n- It is wise to get the necessary equipment against snow and frost or check its condition: shovel and salt supplies are essential tools for your home or business.
\r\n- Pay attention to your car, which, in winter more than ever, must be ready to face snow and ice.
\r\n- Mount snow tires, recommended for winter travel in areas with low temperatures, or carry snow chains, preferably quick-fit.
\r\n- Do some trial fitting of chains; it's better to learn how to use them first than to find yourself in trouble under heavy snowfall.
\r\n- Check that there is antifreeze fluid in the radiator water.
\r\n- Check the condition of the battery and the efficiency of the wiper blades
\r\n- Don't forget to keep ignition cables, pliers, flashlight and work gloves in the car
During
\r\n- Check the load-bearing capacity of your building's roof (house, shed, or other structure). Accumulation of snow and ice could cause roof collapses.
\r\n- Take care to remove snow from your private access or driveway. Please don't throw it out into the street; you could get in the way of snow vehicles' work.
\r\n- Avoid using your car when it snows and leave it in the garage if you can. By decreasing traffic and the number of vehicles parked on roads and public areas, you will facilitate snow removal operations.
\r\n- If you are forced to take your car, follow these small rules:
• Clear the car entirely and not just the windows of snow.
\r\n• Keep your lights on to make yourself more visible on the road, maintain a low speed, and use low gears to avoid braking as much as possible. Instead, favor the use of engine braking.
\r\n• Avoid sharp maneuvers and sudden turns.
\r\n• Accelerate gently and increase the safety distance from the vehicle before you.
\r\n• Remember that when going uphill, it is crucial to proceed without ever stopping. Once stopped, it is difficult to restart, and forcing your car to stop can impede the transit of other vehicles.
\r\n• Park your car properly so that it does not obstruct the work of snow vehicles.
\r\n• Pay special attention to snow slabs that can come off the roofs, especially in the thawing phase.
\r\n• Do not use two-wheel vehicles.
After
\r\n- Remember that ice may form on roads and sidewalks after a snowfall. Pay attention to the road surface and drive with particular caution.
\r\n- If you are walking, carefully choose your shoes to avoid slips and falls and move cautiously.
\r\n- When winter is approaching, inform yourself about the developing weather situation by listening to the local or radio news.