Devastation ... flood damage to buildings in Messina
An aerial view of a road collapsed in the village of Molino near the Sicilian town of Messina October 2, 2009. REUTERS/Antonio Parrinello.
Officials declared the area around the city of Messina in north east Sicily a disaster zone after three hours of thunderstorms brought "apocalyptic" scenes of destruction.
Saturday, October 3, 2009 - Roads, rail lines and buildings were submerged in water and engulfed by rocks and trees. Worst hit were mountain villages Giampilieri and Briga, where nine inches of rain swept away cars and homes.
Concetta Auditore, 77, said: "It was like hell. Everything collapsed in on us."
