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 footage shows how massive waves struck the Italian island on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry. 

In videos shared to social media, locals could be seen running away and screaming as water turned streets into rivers.

Powerful waves submerged roads and pavements, as sea foam appeared to reach the ground floors of nearby buildings.

Meanwhile, passersby could be seen wading through the water to get to safety.

Another clip shows the moment a towering storm-surge smashed straight into the harbour on the island of Lipari, off Sicily. 

The white water flooded the surrounding streets instantly, while ferocious winds and even more waves continued to relentlessly tear through the shore.

The violent waves pounded the Italian island as Storm Harry tore through the central Mediterranean. 

Footage shows massive waves striking Sicily on Tuesday night as the Mediterranean was battered by powerful Storm Harry

Sprawling waves are seen submerging roads and pavements

Locals can be seen running away and screaming as water turned streets into rivers

Elsewhere in Catania, Sicily’s second largest city, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant. 

CCTV footage taken from inside the eatery showed how a powerful storm surge smashed into the windows of the Andrew’s Faro restaurant – shattering the glass and destroying everything in its path. 

Other videos taken across the island showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets. 

Authorities issued red alerts across Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria as the storm unleashed gale-force winds, heavy rain and vicious storm surges. 

In Sicily, wind gusts reached 74 miles per hour, while waves exceeded nine metres, forcing officials to order precautionary evacuations as conditions worsened. 

In Catania, the sea surged past the five-metre mark.

Maritime conditions have forced the suspension of all ferries to Sardinia and smaller islands, leaving scores of people stranded. 

In the port city of Messina, conditions were so severe that a section of the seaside promenade collapsed entirely.  

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

Some 190 people were evacuated from exposed areas across Sicily amid the threat of sudden surges and flooding. 

Several towns have ordered the closure of schools, parks, and sports facilities, while firefighters have been working to help families evacuate their homes. 

Authorities issued red alerts across Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria as the storm unleashed gale-force winds, heavy rain and vicious storm surges

Another clip shows the moment a towering storm-surge smashed straight into the harbour 

The white water flooded the surrounding streets instantly

The storm surges have also caused some damage across the island, with images showing debris scattered on the seafront.  

Storms also struck nearby Malta, with videos showing how forceful waves crashed onto the streets as palm trees were semi-submerged in water. 

Winds reached 65mph, and residents across some parts of the island have been urged to stay indoors.  

Another dramatic video posted to social media showed seawater smashing into glass doors and flooding the inside of a home in the Maltese town of Marsascala. 

Malta’s Civil Protection Department warned residents to ‘avoid working at heights, including rooftops, balconies, scaffolding and exposed structures,’ and to ‘stay away from the shoreline, breakwaters, and coastal paths’.

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

Elsewhere across the Mediterranean, Spain was forced to issue yellow warnings for wind and towering waves across the Andalusia region in the south. 

In Catania, huge waves caused serious damage at a high-end seafood restaurant

Other videos taken across Sicily showed the damage left behind by the storm surge, with debris and rubbish bags seen floating down the flooded streets

Debris can be seen on the sea front in Aci Trezza, Italy, following a storm surge on January 21, 2026 

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

Damage to the seafront caused by Storm Harry during the night in Marina di San Lorenzo in Sicily, January 21, 2026

A flooded street following a storm surge in Bova Marina, Sicily 

The storm surges have also caused some damage in Sicily, with images showing debris scattered on the seafront

In the coastal cities of Malaga and Almeria, wind gusts of 43mph were expected on Wednesday. 

In France, coastal areas in the northwestern regions of the country faced heavy rain and forceful winds.