The race against time continues for the measures taken to counter the flood tide of Lake Massaciuccoli (Lucca). The 46th Air Brigade has been operating since the alert was issued in the days before Christmas Eve, through the weather forecasting service and air traffic assistance for reconnaissance of the flooded areas, which were also repeatedly flown over by the Head of Civil Protection himself, Dr. Guido Bertolaso. Since 28 December 2009, the 46th Air Brigade has also begun operating on the ground, making available 7,350 pre-filled sandbags and 24,500 empty sandbags, distributed directly in the areas of the embankments to be reinforced, using its own lorries. Two four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles, buses for transporting the population, two water tankers for transporting and distributing drinking water, and two floodlights were also made available to allow reconstruction work on the Serchio river embankments to continue during the night. Finally, a significant contingent of personnel is on alert and ready to intervene for the immediate implementation of local population evacuation plans.
