Natural disasters are the proof of the difficulties of the unification of Italy. The new government was too unexperienced to comprehend the regional differences and thus was not able to transform the new ideas into a solid administration. With no organized structure, it was challenging to set communications with the many local authorities resulting in straits during natural disasters. Therefore, the sea town of Riposto, founded by maritime trade, suffered the consequences of this uncertainty when a massive storm hit its shores on January the 23rd 1883, which on that strategic trading route put many sailor and European merchant lives at risk.
Keywords: Earthquakes, calamity, environment, resources, Sicily