A powerful storm recently caused a major landslide in Niscemi, Sicily, displacing over 1,500 residents whose
homes now teeter on a collapsing cliff edge. truck on January 25, 2026, triggered by heavy rains from Cyclone Harry (also called Storm Harry), affecting a 4-5 km section of hillside in this south-central Sicilian town of about 25,000 people. It led to homes, cars, and infrastructure sliding up to 20 meters down, with the ground still unstable and shifting due to soaked soil. No deaths were reported, but authorities set up a 150-meter “no-go zone” and closed schools.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited Niscemi on January 28 via helicopter, pledging aid beyond the initial 100 million euros ($120 million) allocated under a state of emergency for three southern regions. Civil protection teams evacuated residents and warned of ongoing collapse risks, with experts estimating Sicily-wide storm damage at 2 billion euros. Local mayor and officials described the situation as dire, with creaking ground and rain complicating rescues.
