Moment people run for their lives from tsunami-style storm surge which engulfs Italian street in seconds as storms wreak havoc across Europe

Italians were seen running for their lives after a tsunami-style storm surge flooded the streets of Sicily.

Dramatic images show how huge waves hit the Italian island on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry.

In the videos shared on social media, local people were seen running away and screaming as the water turned the streets into a river.

Powerful waves flooded roads and pavements, while sea foam reached the ground floors of nearby buildings.

Meanwhile, passersby were seen crossing the water to reach a safe place.

Another clip shows the moment a rising storm wave crashed directly into the harbor on the island of Lipari, off the coast of Sicily.

High winds and even more waves continued to relentlessly tear at the shore as whitewater instantly flooded the surrounding streets.

As Storm Harry passed through the middle of the Mediterranean, violent waves pounded the Italian island.

Images show huge waves crashing into Sicily on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry

Expanding waves appear to flood roads and pavements

Locals are seen running and screaming as the water turns the streets into a river

Authorities issued a red alert in Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria as the storm caused high winds, heavy rain and heavy storm surge.

In Sicily, winds reached 74 miles per hour, while waves exceeded thirty feet, forcing authorities to order precautionary evacuations as conditions worsened.

In Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, the sea exceeded the five meter limit.

Sea conditions caused the suspension of all ferries to Sardinia and smaller islands, leaving many people stranded.

In the port city of Messina, conditions were so severe that part of the coastline completely collapsed.

The island is also expecting up to 300 millimeters of rain in just two days.

Approximately 190 people were evacuated from exposed areas of Sicily due to the danger of flash floods and floods.

While schools, parks and sports facilities have been ordered to close in many towns, fire crews are also working to help families evacuate their homes.

Authorities issued a red alert in Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria as the storm caused high winds, heavy rain and heavy storm surge

Another clip shows the moment a rising storm wave crashed directly into the harbour.

White water instantly flooded surrounding streets

Storm waves also caused some damage across the island, and footage shows debris strewn across the seashore.

Storms also occurred near Malta, and videos were released showing how powerful waves crashed into the streets as palm trees were half submerged in the water.

Winds reached speeds of 65 miles per hour and residents in some parts of the island were urged to stay indoors.

Another dramatic video posted on social media showed seawater crashing through glass doors and flooding the inside of a house in the Maltese town of Marascala.

Malta’s Department of Civil Protection warned residents to ‘avoid working at height, including on roofs, balconies, piers and exposed structures’ and to ‘stay away from the coastline, breakwaters and coastal roads’.

Flights and ferries to Malta were diverted or canceled while emergency services responded to more than 180 incidents.

Elsewhere in the Mediterranean, Spain was forced to issue a yellow warning in the southern Andalusia region due to wind and rising waves.

Debris is visible on the seashore in Aci Trezza, Italy, after the storm surge on January 21, 2026

A person walks as waves crash onto the shore at Mazzeo beach in Taormina on the east coast of Sicily in southern Italy, January 20, 2026. Italy’s Civil Protection Agency issued a red alert for severe weather in Sardinia, Sicily and Calabria on January 20.