At a Glance
- Massive waves crashed onto a coastal roadway between the Italian towns of Scilla and Chianalea on January 10.
- Two cars were caught in the flooding; one was completely drenched by a towering wave.
- No injuries were reported, according to Italian news outlets.
- Rough weather is forecast to continue through January 13.
Why it matters: The footage highlights how quickly storms can turn scenic coastal drives into dangerous flood zones.
Terrifying video shows drivers caught between the sea and the pavement when powerful waves surged onto a narrow road hugging Italy’s southwest coast. The scene unfolded on the strip linking Scilla and Chianalea in the Calabria region, where wind storms have been pounding the shoreline since early this week.
Footage recorded by local resident Carmelo Magenta captures the moment a wall of water slams onto the pavement. The first car sits almost parallel to the sea; the second waits a few yards back. One violent wave explodes over the seawall, drenching the lead vehicle and sending a sheet of water across the asphalt. A second surge rolls in behind it, raising the flood level within seconds.
The driver furthest from the wave reacts first, throwing the car into reverse and disappearing from view. The soaked car then begins an awkward three-point turn, backing away from the churning surf before the clip ends.
According to Italy’s National Meteorological Surveillance Bulletin issued January 12, the southern peninsula has been under siege from vigorous wind storms. Amoledo reports renewed wind strength and rough seas for the Strait of Messina, the narrow channel separating Calabria from Sicily.
The ancient town of Scilla takes its name from Greek mythology. Scylla, the multi-headed sea monster, was said to lurk in these very waters, terrorizing sailors such as Odysseus. Modern residents no longer battle mythical beasts, but the region’s volatile seas remain legendary.
Calabria’s official travel page notes the area’s history of tempestuous waters, a reputation reinforced by the latest storm. Forecasters warn that waves and wind could stay elevated through the weekend.
The roadway between Scilla and Chianalea offers drivers postcard views of the Strait of Messina, but its low elevation leaves it exposed during high seas. Local media outlets, relayed via Storyful, confirm that no injuries occurred during the January 10 event.
Southern Italy’s weather woes are not new. In 2018, Calabria endured devastating floods that killed 10 people-six men and four women-and injured six others, including a child, according to CNN reports from the time. The current storm system has not reached that level of tragedy, but officials continue to monitor water levels and advise residents to avoid coastal roads.
Carmelo Magenta’s video, now circulating online, serves as a real-time reminder of how quickly conditions can shift from scenic to hazardous. Within moments, a calm passage can become a churning river of seawater.
Authorities have not ordered evacuations for Scilla or Chianalea, but they urge motorists to use alternate routes when high-wave advisories are in effect. The regional civil-protection agency has deployed crews to clear debris and check drainage systems along the waterfront.
The Strait of Messina is notorious for its weather-driven turbulence. Strong southerly winds funnel through the narrow gap, pushing water toward Calabria’s eastern shoreline. When those winds coincide with high tide, the result is the type of wave action seen in Magenta’s footage.
Residents say the road between the two towns often floods during winter storms, but this week’s waves have been notably high. One shopkeeper told News Of Losangeles that spray from the breakers reached second-story balconies, an unusual sight even for locals accustomed to rough seas.
Maritime traffic in the strait has also felt the impact. Ferry operators reported delays as choppy conditions forced slower speeds, while smaller fishing vessels remained docked through the worst of the weather.
Forecast models show sustained winds of up to 50 km/h through Saturday, with sea heights predicted to exceed two meters along exposed coasts. Those conditions are expected to ease by Sunday night.
Local schools closed early on January 12 as a precaution, and municipal crews stacked sandbags along the waterfront promenade. Parks and beaches have been taped off, and tourists have been advised to observe wave action from a safe distance.
Despite the drama, daily life continues a few blocks inland. Cafés remain open, fishermen mend nets, and residents swap stories of past storms. Yet everyone keeps an eye on the horizon, mindful that another surge could roll in at any moment.
For now, the soaked car captured in Magenta’s video has become a symbol of nature’s sudden power, a cautionary tale retold each time waves overtake the road that links Scilla to Chianalea.
Key Takeaways
- Powerful waves overtook a coastal road in Calabria, Italy, on January 10.
- Video shows two cars fleeing as water rushes across the pavement; no one was hurt.
- Rough seas and strong winds are forecast to persist through the weekend.
- The towns of Scilla and Chianalea, steeped in mythic history, remain on alert for further flooding.
