Nearly four months' worth of rain concentrated in 48 hours. As Cyclone Harry continues to rage across the island , the new Civil Protection bulletin raises the flood alert, at least in municipalities near river mouths. However, the hydrogeological risk is decreasing, with the possibility of flooding and landslides. ( ALL THE NEWS HERE ).
In the last few hours, the island has been hit by torrential rains, with homes evacuated, roads blocked, sirocco gusts reaching 100 km/h and storm surges with waves up to six meters high. Firefighters responded to over a hundred calls for fallen trees, unsafe poles, cornices, tiles, and damaged billboards. Many bridges and roads were closed as a precaution, including the 195 Sulcitana and some sections of the 389.
LIVE UPDATES:
9:05 PM – Severe weather in Sardinia, Arpas (National Agency for Environmental Protection) reports: "The weather will ease tomorrow."
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/maltempo-in-sardegna-arpas-fenomeni-in-attenuazione-da-domani-w67u3484Severe weather is expected to gradually ease starting tomorrow, with precipitation concentrated in the morning hours. This was confirmed by the ARPAS Meteorological and Climate Department during a meeting convened by the Director General of the Regional Civil Protection Agency, Mauro Merella, and the Councilor for Environmental Protection, Rosanna Laconi, following the criticality warning issued by the Decentralized Functional Center. According to ARPAS technicians, after days of persistent precipitation and significant cumulative rainfall, especially in the southern and eastern parts of the island, the storms are expected to decrease in intensity. Strong southeastern winds are also expected to significantly ease during the day tomorrow, with residual exposure limited to the ridges and some areas of Ogliastra, the southwest, and the southern coasts. Wave motion is also expected to decrease, albeit with a natural delay compared to the wind.
7:50 PM – Families with children and pets evacuated from Maddalena Spiaggia
www.unionesarda.it/multimedia/capoterra-emergenza-maltempo-evacuate-famiglie-con-bambini-e-animali-a-maddalena-spiaggia-a81wkpafEvacuation operations ordered by the Municipality of Capoterra due to the severe weather emergency linked to Cyclone Harry are continuing in Maddalena Spiaggia. Since the afternoon, Civil Protection personnel and volunteers from local associations have been going door-to-door along Via del Sagittario, Via dell'Ariete, and Via Cassiopea to inform residents of the mayor's order and urge them to temporarily vacate the homes deemed most at risk. Those who agreed to evacuate were accompanied by a bus provided by the Municipality to the council chamber, which has been transformed into a collection and assistance point. The evacuees are expected to be transferred to a local bed and breakfast in the evening, where a hot meal will also be provided. Currently, 15 people, including children and pets, are being cared for and monitored by municipal services while awaiting further developments in the weather.
7:20 PM – Record rainfall, the numbers
According to the Sardinia Cedoc monitoring stations of the Region, rainfall has reached record levels in some locations, considering that the average annual rainfall on the island is nearly 600 mm, with peaks of up to 1,500 mm in the mountains. Specifically, in Villagrande Strisaili, in the Bau Mandara area of Ogliastra, the latest reading was 357.40 mm. Also in Ogliastra, in the Genna Silana pass at Urzulei, 321 mm fell, and in Jerzu, 222.20 mm. In Sinnai, in the Cagliari area, where a rural hamlet was evacuated, 225 mm fell in 48 hours, while in Gairo (in Ogliastra) 211 mm fell, and in Lodè, in the Nuoro area, 201.40 mm.
7:00 PM – SOS in Tasonis: the river is swelling, four families are leaving their homes.
The Tasonis stream, a hamlet of Sinnai, five kilometers from the town, swelled, prompting the Coc (Community Command Operations) to immediately conduct an inspection. Mayor Barbara Pusceddu, the Carabinieri, and the local police were present. Several families were living on the other side of the river, which had swollen following the rains of the past two days. Those most at risk spontaneously decided to leave their homes.
6:30 PM – The Sarroch coastline is on its knees due to the storm surge.
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/provincia-cagliari/litorale-di-sarroch-in-ginocchio-per-la-mareggiata-barche-distrutte-evacuata-una-casa-k3u2iqpcIn the Sarroch area, the Foxi port pier is in critical condition. The force of the waves swept away numerous boats: some were swept away by the storm surge, others crashed into the rocks, sustaining extensive damage. Only a few owners who responded in time were able to save their boats, while many were left helpless by the rapid and violent rush of the water.
6:00 PM – Nuoro also has a third day without classes.
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/nuoro-provincia/maltempo-terzo-giorno-senza-lezioni-a-nuoro-sospese-le-attivita-didattiche-yz54z6tkThird consecutive day without classes in city schools due to bad weather. In Nuoro, too, students will be staying home tomorrow, Wednesday, January 21, 2026, while administrative and technical staff will be present at the schools as usual to assess any issues or damage caused by the adverse weather conditions.
5:00 PM – Collapses and debris on State Road 195
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/cagliari/crolli-e-detriti-la-statale-195-a-pezzi-sotto-la-violenza-della-mareggiata-ka4zmop7The violent storm surge unleashed by Cyclone Harry has caused extensive damage to State Road 195, the Sulcitana road that connects Cagliari to the western side of the Golfo degli Angeli.
The roadway collapsed in some places under the force of the water, which submerged Giorgino beach. The asphalt was torn, and some safety barriers were washed away by the fury of the sea.
4:00 PM – Schools and offices remain closed in Cagliari, Quartu, and Selargius.
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/cagliari/cagliari-scuole-e-uffici-pubblici-chiusi-anche-mercoledi-per-lallerta-rossa-sty4ijymSchools, parks, cemeteries, and public offices in Cagliari have been closed until tomorrow, Wednesday, January 21, as per a new ordinance issued by Mayor Massimo Zedda. A similar decision has been made in Quartu and Selargius.
3:30 PM – Evacuation at Maddalena Spiaggia, over 100 people forced to leave their homes
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/provincia-cagliari/il-mare-fa-paura-evacuazione-a-maddalena-spiaggia-oltre-100-devono-lasciare-le-case-qsxu2hg3The Municipality of Capoterra, in close collaboration with the regional civil protection operations center, has decided to evacuate approximately 120 residents of the homes closest to the sea in the Maddalena Spiaggia condominium. The residents affected by the measure (already partially flooded) are expected to be relocated to the municipal gym, but their destination is yet to be determined.
2:30 PM – Red alert for flooding but flood risk reduced
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/maltempo-in-sardegna-allerta-rossa-per-esondazioni-ma-ridotto-il-rischio-alluvioni-vertice-per-decidere-le-riaperture-ugpqrwu3With dams full due to rainfall brought by Cyclone Harry, flood warnings are being raised in Sardinia, at least in municipalities near river mouths. However, the hydrogeological risk is decreasing, with the possibility of flooding and landslides. This, in summary, is the content of the new bulletin issued by the regional Civil Protection Department, which has called a video conference with mayors and prefects for 5 p.m. to decide on the possible reopening of schools and offices. Therefore, the emergencies on the island are being reversed, amid a widespread easing of the severe weather starting tomorrow afternoon (January 21).
1:30 PM – "The peak of the storm surge has shifted between 4 and 7 PM."
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/maltempo-la-regione-il-picco-delle-mareggiate-si-e-spostato-tra-le-16-e-le-19-oi82yieoTomorrow, Wednesday, from lunchtime onward, the bad weather is expected to pass. Or at least significantly ease. But these hours of Tuesday, January 20th, are still challenging in Sardinia due to the passage of Cyclone Harry. From the Civil Protection press office in Cagliari, Director General Mauro Merella explained that "the peak of storm surges has shifted from dawn (as forecast) to early afternoon today." Between 4 and 7 p.m. In short, the red alert will continue until midnight. A possible extension for tomorrow morning will be decided around 2 p.m.
1:00 PM – The Region: "The emergency remains today, but the situation will ease on Wednesday."
More certainty about tomorrow's severe weather development will be available at 2:00 PM today (January 20). However, from the regional Civil Protection press office, Rosanna Laconi, the Environment Councilor, anticipated: "We expect the weather to ease tomorrow." Therefore, the red alert in Sardinia could actually end at midnight, after two days of closures. However, high levels of vigilance remain throughout the day.
12:50 PM – Severe weather in Oliena: old buildings collapsed, poles uprooted, flooding, and road closures.
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/nuoro-provincia/maltempo-a-oliena-vecchi-edifici-crollati-pali-divelti-allagamenti-e-strade-chiuse-cqc3d1scThe violent storm currently hitting Sardinia has not spared the Oliena area , causing the collapse of old homes, the complete flooding of the Su Gologone spring, and the closure of numerous roads, making the situation critical throughout the municipality.
12.30pm – Route 195 closed by the Scafa bridge
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/carreggiate-allagate-chiusi-alcuni-tratti-della-195-e-della-389-tfu79xwt"Due to adverse weather conditions in the last few hours, which have caused flooding of the roadway, state road 195 "Sulcitana" is temporarily closed in both directions, from the Scafa bridge to km 10.600 in Cagliari. Also on state road 195, there is a closure from km 63.000 to km 65.000 in Teulada." This is according to a statement from ANAS released late this morning.
12:00 PM – Dams overflowing: "Sealing risk"
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/maltempo-dighe-troppo-piene-rischio-tenuta-lacqua-scaricata-in-mare-yfx4v0pyFrom drought to excess water. And now in Sardinia, dams are being relieved of their water pressure because they're too full. It's all written in the regional Civil Protection monitoring bulletin, which is published every three hours in cases of red alert. The latest one was at 9:00 this morning and still depicts a Sardinia divided in two: the most critical situation is from Cagliari to Gallura, passing through Medio Campidano; no emergencies are present in the rest of the island.
11:30 a.m. - Trapped residents in Capoterra rescued by pedal boat
Pedal boats are also being used to reach those stranded in their homes on Maddalena Beach. Since the early hours of the morning, firefighters, local police, the Barracellare company, and civil defense associations from Capoterra have been working to rescue dozens of residents trapped by the storm surge that has flooded every street in the complex.
11:00 a.m. – Cagliari, Poetto neighborhood flooded
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/cagliari/mareggiata-a-cagliari-allagato-il-quartiere-poetto-cbnj8f07Storm surge in Cagliari, flooding the Poetto neighborhood and other streets. Mayor Zedda: "Avoid travel."
10:30 a.m. – Strong winds, collapses, and fallen trees in Gallura
10 a.m. – Cagliari, the fury of the sea destroys the Marina Piccola pier
9.15am Some sections of the state roads closed
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/carreggiate-allagate-chiusi-alcuni-tratti-della-195-e-della-389-tfu79xwtDue to adverse weather conditions in the last few hours, which have caused flooding, state road 195 "Sulcitana" is temporarily closed in both directions, from km 5.221 to km 10.600 in Cagliari, and from km 63 to km 65 in Teulada. State road 389 "Di Budduso' e del Correboi" is also closed in both directions due to flooding, from km 27.500 to km 34.900 in Alà dei Sardi, in the province of Sassari.
9:00 AM – Tortolì, tree collapses on car
www.unionesarda.it/news-sardegna/ogliastra/tortoli-tragedia-sfiorata-in-viale-arbatax-pianta-piomba-su-unauto-sv6s4wbhA tragedy was narrowly avoided on Viale Arbatax in Tortolì. A tree fell onto a passing car, destroying its front end. There were no injuries.
8.40 am – The Flumendosa river level rises.
The Flumendosa River has risen on the iron bridge. "It is recommended to avoid the banks and stay away from waterways," Villaputzu Mayor Sandro Porcu wrote on Facebook.
8:15 a.m. – Storm at Poetto: beach "devoured"
Rain and wind are lashing the Gulf of Angels and, during the night between Monday and Tuesday, the sea reached the point of “eating up” the Poetto coastline in Cagliari: THE VIDEO .
7.45 am – Cagliari, trees felled by the wind :
The Cagliari area is alarmed not only by the rain but also by the strong winds. Violent gusts have also been reported in the city of Cagliari, where trees have collapsed.
7:30 a.m. – Schools, cemeteries, and parks closed in the Sassari area as well :
Second day of emergency in the municipalities of northwestern Sardinia. Schools of all levels, parks, and cemeteries were also closed on Tuesday, January 20, in many municipalities in the Sassari area.
7:00 AM – Cedrino River at risk of flooding :
Galtellì is in high alert for the Cedrino River following heavy rains over the past 24 hours and strong winds that have affected the area. Mayor Franco Solinas has issued an urgent warning urging residents to stay away from the river and high-risk areas.