A freak maritime 'supercell' has sparked chaos in an Italian tourist hotspot, leaving cars destroyed by falling trees and buildings flooded.
The north-east Emilia-Romagna region has been left ravaged by a violent storm that included rain, hail and winds exceeding 100km/h. It swept through Rimini and Ravenna and left a trail of devastation in its wake.
Local media has described the wild weather as a 'true maritime supercell' - a storm core that self-regenerates when it brings in moisture from the warm sea - as it caused serious damage to vehicles, beach resorts, and crops throughout the area over the weekend.
Footage of the major storm that lashed Orsoleto and Torre Pedrera captured the moment palm trees battled intense winds and appeared just moments away from being struck by lightening.
Another clip taken from a door camera showed thick rain battering down in the early hours of Sunday morning, leaving the street and vehicles parked outside drenched from the torrential downpour.
