Rescue workers pulling a boat along, wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale in Sardina island Nov. 18, 2013.
Emergency crews on the Italian island of Sardinia are working to rescue people stranded by flooding, after a torrential rainstorm killed at least 16 people.
Prime Minister Enrico Letta told reporters he has announced a state of emergency designed to free up emergency resources to boost rescue operations.
The resort city of Olbia underwent some of the heaviest flooding, with the heavy rains collapsing bridges and washing out roads.
Officials said that among the dead was a family of four, of Brazilian origin.
The Associated Press reports Sardinia received more than 400 millimeters of water in 24 hours.
Deadly Floods in Sardinia
1/4Rescue workers pulling a boat wade on a flooded street at San Gavino Monreale, Sardinia, Italy, Nov. 18, 2013.
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2/4A flooded street in San Gavino Monreale, Sardina, Italy, Nov. 18, 2013.
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3/4Rescuers work in a flooded street in the small town of Uras, Sardinia, Italy, Nov. 18, 2013.
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4/4Two tankers are battered by gale winds in the rough waters of the Gulf of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy, Nov. 18, 2013.
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