Hurricane Harry caused a loss of approximately one billion euros to countries including Italy and Malta.

The powerful storm named "Harry" that originated in the Mediterranean Sea has caused severe damage to Italy and Malta, resulting in over a billion euros in property damage. This low-pressure system, which hit Southern Italy in mid-January, created a regional weather crisis with violent winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous sea waves.

As a result, Italian civil protection authorities took steps to issue red alerts for the regions of Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria in Italy.

Coastal areas were severely affected by the storm, with sea waves reportedly rising up to 8 meters in the Mazara del Vallo area. Coastal roads and restaurants were submerged, disrupting daily life, and authorities had to suspend boat and ferry services to small islands, including Sardinia. Over 1,480 firefighters were deployed for relief efforts, conducting more than 1,650 emergency operations within three days.

In addition to coastal areas, heavy rainfall also occurred inland, with some locations recording 300 mm of precipitation within 48 hours. Wind speeds increased to 130 km/h, and the Italian financial police were able to rescue a Swiss family caught in a snowstorm near Mount Etna. Malta was also severely affected by the storm, and due to strong winds, several flights scheduled to arrive at Malta International Airport had to be diverted to Italy.

Although the weather conditions stabilized to some extent by January 21st, authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant. The storm has caused approximately one billion dollars in property damage so far, and according to the Governor of Sicily's estimate, that region alone has suffered losses of about 740 million euros. Property damage in Sardinia is also expected to be high. In response to the emergency, the Italian Coast Guard has deployed over 100 vessels, aircraft, and helicopters to monitor marine pollution and coastal risks.

Scientists indicate that such storms could become more powerful in the future due to warming ocean waters. The pressure exerted by Storm Harry on Europe's infrastructure and emergency provisions has been identified as a challenge countries face due to climate change. Although the most intense phase of the storm has passed, efforts to calculate the total damage are still ongoing.

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