Italy

IT-alert is Italy’s national public warning system. It sends Cell Broadcast warnings to switched-on mobile phones in an affected area.

• No separate app is required to receive an alert.
• The phone must be switched on, able to receive signal and connected to a mobile cell.
• During a prolonged power cut, mobile networks may be limited. A radio, power bank and offline information are therefore important.

Country: Italy

• Country code: IT
• Official language: Italian
• Currency: euro (EUR)
• Time zone: Central European Time, with Central European Summer Time in summer
• Electricity: usually 230 V / 50 Hz, plug types C, F and L

Italy generally has well-developed infrastructure. During a longer power cut, communications, transport, card payments, lifts, petrol stations, supermarkets, refrigeration and parts of the water supply may be restricted.

In mountain areas, coastal regions and on islands, storms, heat, flooding, earthquake impacts or limited transport routes can make the situation more difficult.

The most important emergency numbers in Italy should be saved offline and also kept in printed form.

• 112: European emergency number / general emergency
• 113: State Police
• 115: Fire Brigade
• 118: medical emergency / ambulance
• 117: Guardia di Finanza
• 1530: Coast Guard
• 1515: environmental and forest emergencies

Use emergency numbers only for real emergencies. During a wide-area blackout, lines should not be blocked by general enquiries.

In Italy, official information mainly comes from civil protection, regions, municipalities, prefectures, police, fire services and local media.

• IT-alert: warning messages directly to suitable mobile phones in affected areas.
• Protezione Civile: national and regional information on civil protection situations.
• Radio: during a power cut, a battery, wind-up or car radio is important.
• Municipality / prefecture: local meeting points, road closures and help points can vary depending on the incident.

For Italy, a household supply for several days is sensible. Anyone wanting more independence should plan for 10 to 14 days and make sure supplies can be used without electricity.

• Plan drinking water and shelf-stable drinks for everyone in the household.
• Store long-life food that can be eaten cold or prepared simply.
• Keep medicines, first-aid supplies and regular personal medication ready.
• Prepare a battery or wind-up radio, torches, spare batteries and power banks.
• Keep cash in small notes and coins, because card payments and cash machines may fail.
• Keep important documents, phone numbers and addresses available offline.
• With alternative cooking or heating sources, pay attention to fire and carbon monoxide risks.

For local power cuts, the responsible grid or distribution operator is usually the right contact for fault reports, not automatically the electricity seller. If people are in danger, always use the emergency number.

Depending on the situation, crisis information may come from Protezione Civile, the region, the municipality and the prefecture. Travellers should save official contacts offline before travelling.

For Dominican citizens in Italy, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Rome is the relevant official foreign representation.