Parts of Aviano Air Base’s flight line are waterlogged after a storm swept through the area on July 12, 2024. (Facebook/Air Force amn/nco/snco)
AVIANO, Italy – Winds ripped away a long portion of Aviano Air Base’s passenger terminal roof on Friday, as northeastern Italy prepared for thunderstorms to continue into the weekend.
During a storm that lasted for about 40 minutes, winds grabbed a hold of the highest portion of the passenger terminal roof and tore it away. The wind speed at the time wasn’t immediately available.
Airmen who witnessed the damage were not made available to speak with Stars and Stripes at the terminal Friday.
The missing middle section of the passenger terminal roof at Aviano Air Base is reflected in the water on the building's floor after a storm swept through the area on July 12, 2024. (Facebook/Air Force amn/nco/snco)
The center atrium at the passenger terminal will be closed to the public, said Maj. Rachel Salpietra, spokeswoman for the 31st Fighter Wing.
However, terminal operations will continue as scheduled, Salpietra said.
Initial assessments are still taking place around the base to determine the extent of the storm damage, she said.
Broken tree branches and an overturned portable toilet were among the visible damage on base.
The middle section of the passenger terminal roof at Aviano Air Base is gone after a storm swept through the area on July 12, 2024. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
The storm also bore down on several neighboring Italian towns where U.S. service members live.
Trash cans were tossed down the street and outdoor furniture was upended and mangled in the town of Spilimbergo, a town about 20 miles from the air base.
There were no immediate reports of injuries as of 8 p.m. Friday.
Also on Friday, the Italian weather service warned that several areas, including the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region where Aviano is located, could experience severe thunderstorms, along with hail and strong winds.
The warning included the Veneto region, home to U.S. Army Garrison Italy in Vicenza.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia issued a “yellow” ordinary intensity weather alert lasting from 1 p.m. Friday through 6 p.m. Saturday, the Italian news service Ansa reported. Officials also warned of possible localized flooding.
The weather phenomenon was due to warmer air from Africa over Italy, creating instability in the north and high temperatures in the south, according to the Ansa report.
Stars and Stripes reporter Alison Bath contributed to this report.
